Stoke Park president Sir Matthew Pinsent believes golf will prove to be a successful addition to the Olympic Games.

Several top players have dropped out of competing at the Games and the sports inclusion has drawn fierce criticism.

However, Pinsent, who became president at the Buckinghamshire club in 2011, believes British players such as Justin Rose can ensure golf has a lasting impact at the Games.

The four-time Olympic gold medallist said: “I was always a fan of golf coming in.

“All you need is someone like Justin Rose to win a gold medal for Team GB and say ‘this is up there with the best experience in golf’.

“He has already said how proud he is to be representing Team GB, to be fair to him. And the rest of the team will embrace someone like him who gets involved.

“It’s a unique experience to pull on an international shirt with the Olympic rings on it. It is totally different to anything else.”