Crucially this means that many top golfers from leading nations will be absent, and as it currently stands, officials will likely have to dip down to around 300 in the ranking to fill the men's field and to 450 in the world to complete the women's draw.

Among those currently set to miss out would be American major winners Jim Furyk, Phil Mickelson and Zach Johnson, despite the trio all being ranked in the top 15 in the world, as well as British star Ian Poulter, who is ranked 27th behind two compatriots. 

But the announcement was overshadowed by questions regarding the course at Rio following numerous missed deadlines and setbacks earlier this year. 

A lot of work remains to be done if the golf course at Barra de Tijuca (pictured in November) is to be ready in time ©Getty Images







Construction of the first Olympic golf course since 1904 belatedly began in May, two months after Dawson spoke of his dissatisfaction at progress following a visit in late March.

In May, IGF vice-president Ty Votaw also highlighted the Federation's doubts over the ability to stage a test event one year ahead of the Games, admitting "the likelihood of a test event a year out continues to be improbable".

But although keen to cite the tightness of the timetable, Dawson has now spoken with tentative optimism that it will be completed in time, at least for the start of the Games themselves if not for the test event. 

"All I can say to that is that progress has been doing that [pointing upwards] recently," he said.

"It is so much faster now per month than it was a year ago, and it's accelerating.

"But there's no complacency there, it's tight."

"It's a huge undertaking, putting an Olympic Games together, especially, I would imagine just after a World Cup, and Rio certainly have their work cut out."

The Englishman also insisted golf is "in no more danger than any other sport" of having to move or abandon the Olympic competition due to these concerns, although unspecified contingency measures are in place. 

As it currently stands, American Stacey Lewis and Australian Adam Scott are leading the qualification lists for Rio 2016, providing the course is ready in time ©Getty Images



In a similarly cautiously optimistic tone, Votaw said the IGF "have people on the ground and know what the progress is".

"It's taken us much longer to get to where we are and there was some frustration along the way," the vice-president added.

"And while we are encouraged by recent progress there is still more work to do." 

Contact the writer of this story at nick.butler@insidethegames,biz


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