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• Jason Day bemoans position of the Olympics in 2016 schedule
• Thinks it is more suited to amateurs – but does want to go to Rio
• At the moment, Day and Adam Scott likely to be Australia’s players

JASON DAY | OLYMPICS

Jason Day has admitted next year’s Olympics ‘messes with the whole schedule’ but said it would still be ‘amazing’ to win a medal in Rio de Janeiro.

The 27-year-old, who looks likely to be representing Australia along with Adam Scott next summer, seems to have his reservations about the sport’s return to the Olympic scene after a gap of 114 years, believing that it would be more suited to amateurs.

“I’ve always thought the Olympics was where amateurs played, not the kind of thing where you go as a professional,” said Jason Day, who was speaking ahead of the RBC Canadian Open. “You go in and represent your country in the Olympics and I think it would be fantastic if amateurs could do that.

“It just messes with the whole schedule” – Jason Day

“It’s so tough because the Olympics is right in the middle of the season and it just messes with the whole schedule. But I do want to represent my country in Rio.”

Day’s will to represent Australia next year is not a view which is shared by compatriot Scott, who was scathing in his criticism of the sport’s inclusion back in May.

He said: “It’s nothing I’ve ever aspired to do and I don’t think I ever will. It’s all about the four majors, and I think that’s the way it should stay for golf.”

CONTINUES BELOW…

144th Open Championship - Final Round

But Scott’s thoughts don’t seem to be widely shared by his fellow professionals, at least not those who have spoken publicly, with Tiger Woods, Henrik Stenson and Lee Westwood all believing that golf’s return to the Olympics is a positive thing.

Former world No.1 Westwood said that it was seeing worldwide stars like Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and LeBron James embracing the Olympics in 2012 that helped to alter his attitude towards its inclusion, and Day recalls visiting a friend from the victorious US basketball team and seeing the gold medal in all its glory.

“It would be a good moment just to capture in time” – Jason Day

“To have the opportunity of representing your country, going to the opening ceremony and winning a medal would be pretty neat just looking back on it,” admitted Jason Day. “I had a buddy that won gold in the basketball with Team USA. I was at his house and looking at his medal and it was just an amazing piece.

“It’s history being able to look back on it and tell a story one day and what you did, where it was, what happened. It would be a good moment just to capture in time.”

Jason Day :: Olympic thoughts?

What do you make of Jason Day’s comments on the Olympics? And are you ‘for’ or ‘against’ golf’s inclusion? Leave your thoughts below.

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