Rio 2016 Olympics: Justin Rose, Danny Willett, Charley Hull and Catriona Matthew to represent Team GB

In the squad: Masters champion Willett is one of four members in the Team GB side
GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images
James Benge13 July 2016

Great Britain have named the four golfers set to represent their country at the Rio Olympics.

Masters winner Danny Willett and Justin Rose will compete in the men’s competition whilst 20-year-old Charley Hull will join Catriona Matthew in the women’s events.

"It's brilliant to be able to bring new faces into Team GB in a sport that has not appeared at the Games for over a century," said Team GB's chef de mission Mark England.

"Britain has a fantastic tradition in the sport and I know the team are excited to be part of a new experience for this generation of golfers.

"In Justin, Danny, Catriona and Charley we also have a team capable of doing great things in Rio next month."

Willett, fresh from his first major at Augusta in April, is eager to make the most of his opportunity to be an Olympian.

"It will be a huge honour to represent Team GB at the Olympics," he said.

"It comes at a busy point in our year so I'm hoping to be playing well going into it. I'm really looking forward to it."

Golf has been dogged by high-profile withdrawals from the Olympics in recent weeks, with the world’s four leading players – Jason Day, Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy – all withdrawing themselves from contention.

Several other leading players have also backed out of the tournament, many of them citing concerns over the mousquito-borne Zika virus.

Rose, the 2013 US Open champion, expressed his sympathy with those declaring themselves unavailable for the tournament. He said: "I think we’re going to get down there and there won’t be a mosquito in sight. But no one can categorically tell us that it’s not a problem. I have sympathy with those that have had to put the health of their family first.

"I feel golfers are skipping Rio rather than the Olympics.

"I’m excited about taking part. The way I am looking at it is it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. That’s really been my mantra, hopefully get to play in Tokyo in 2020, too."

Willett and Rose, ranked ninth and 11th in the world, will both be confident of claiming a medal.

Hull has been professional for three years, in which time she has claimed one European Tour victory. She has been joined by 46-year-old Matthew, who won the British Open in 2009.

Rio 2016 represents the first time golf will be played at the Olympics since St Louis 1904.

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