Golf didn't have the smoothest reintroduction to the Olympic Games when, three years ago, many of the world's most prominent players decided against traveling to Rio.
It led to questions regards whether or not the sport should be included in the Games, considering players seemed so disinterested. Yet, having the most popular star the game has ever produced eager to get his hands on a prestigious gold medal means golf may have a bright future after all at the quadrennial event.
Thrilled for Rosie, Henrik & Kuch, but all golfers in Rio this week should be proud.
— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) August 14, 2016
Speaking at a press event ahead of the start of the US PGA Championship, the second major of the year, Woods claimed he would like to add an appearance in Tokyo to his already-impressive CV.
Would I like to play in the Olympics? Yes.
I’m sure I won’t get many more opportunities going forward at 43-years-old to play in many Olympics
It would be a first for me. Getting there and making the team would be the tough part.
If I play well in the big events, like I did this year, things will take care of themselves
A recurring back injury prevented the 15-time major winner from competing at the 2016 event, but last month's win at Augusta suggested those injuries are behind him.
Moreover, prior to the 2016 Games, the American backed the idea of reintroducing the sport to the Games. In the years leading up to the games, Woods said:
I think that golf is a truly global sport, and I think it should have been in the Olympics a while ago.
If it does get in, I think it would be great for golf and especially some of the other smaller countries that are now emerging in golf. I think its a great way for them to compete and play and get the exposure that some of these countries aren't getting.
Obviously, next year is still far away for Woods but, on current form, it would be hard to bet against him making it to Japan in over 12 months' time.
First, he has the small matter of the PGA Championship at Bethpage to contend with.
