London - Darren Clarke sounded a rare note of dissent as golf celebrated its return to the Olympics on Friday.
The International Olympic Committee has decided that golf will feature in the Games once more from 2016 and leading figures in the sport are anticipating a surge in participation around the word as a result.
But Northern Ireland's Clarke is not convinced the move is a good thing.
"I've always been against it because I grew up watching the Olympics and to me they are an amateur event," the Ryder Cup star said Friday.
"I know things have changed with tennis in there and basketball and all that. I can see why they are doing it to grow the sport around the world, but personally I don't think it should be in it.
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"That's just my opinion. It will help to make the game bigger and if I had the opportunity to play I probably would."
In contrast, Scotland's Paul Lawrie welcomed the move. "I would definitely play," said the 1999 British Open winner.
"I think it's important. There are so many sports in the Olympics now that are professional sports, so why can't not golf be in? I would love to win Olympic gold."
Jose Maria Olazabal, the Spaniard who has claimed two US Masters titles, added: "I think it will be fantastic for the game of golf, but unfortunately 2016 is going to be too far for me."
Medals for golf will be allocated on the basis of 72-hole strokeplay events for both men and women.
But the similarities with golf's existing major tournaments end there because of qualifying criteria which mean many of the world's best players will not be able to compete.
Under the format approved by the IOC, the top 15 players in the world rankings will qualify directly for the Olympic tournament with the next 45 in the field made up of players from nations who do not already have two players.
If the tournament was held this week, that would mean Tiger Woods leading a contingent of seven Americans, no other country would have more than two contestants and only 37 of the world's top 100 would be in the field.
In the women's event there would be five Koreans and four Americans, but also India's Simi Mehra, ranked 487th, and Chilean Nicole Perret at 529th.
But such concerns were brushed aside as European Tour chief executive George O'Grady proclaimed a "proud and historic day for our sport."
O'Grady said that inclusion in the Olympics would "galvanise the game globally," adding: "The Olympics will bring a new dimension to our sport. They will bring greater exposure and recognition and they will bring millions of new faces into the game.
"Golf is global and we are convinced that this decision will amplify awareness and additional progress in those countries where golf is still in its infancy."
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