Four athletes have today been named as the golfers who will represent Team GB at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Justin Rose and Danny Willett will compete in the men’s 72-hole stroke play event from August 11-14, while Catriona Matthew and Charley Hull, will contest the medals in the women’s competition from August 17-20.
Rose turned professional in 1998 following a tied fourth place finish at that year’s Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.
A 15-time winner across the PGA and European Tours, Rose claimed US Open victory at Merion Golf Club in 2013 and played significant roles in Europe’s 2012 and 2014 Ryder Cup wins.
Willett turned pro in 2008 and secured his maiden Major championship victory in memorable style earlier this season following a final round 67 at The Masters in April.
Solheim Cup stalwart Matthew has four LPGA Tour victories to her name, as well as six wins on the Ladies European Tour (LET). In 2009, the 46-year-old won both the Women’s British Open and the LET Player of the Year award.
At 20, Hull will be the youngest member of Team GB’s golf squad and has been professional for three years with one European Tour victory to her name.
In 2013, Hull won the LET Rookie of the Year award and a year later picked up the Tour’s Order of Merit.
Rio 2016 will be the third time golf has appeared at the Olympic Games and is returning to the programme for the first time since St Louis 1904.
Team GB have won two Olympic medals in golf following Walter Rutherford and David Robertson’s silver and bronze successes at Paris in 1900.
The selected athletes are:
Charley Hull, 20, hometown Kettering
Catriona Matthew, 46, Edinburgh
Justin Rose, 35, London
Danny Willett, 28, Sheffield