Finchem says Olympic status would aid golf's global development

PGA Tour chief Tim Finchem wants to see golf included in the Olympics by 2016.

Golf has featured in the Games twice, in 1900 and 1904. Decisions on the 2016 programme will be made next year.

"There remain questions to be answered and issues to be resolved, but I believe the time is now right to move forward," said Finchem.

Several players, including Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson and Nick Faldo, have said golf at the Olympics should be contested by the sport's best amateurs.

606: DEBATE Should golf be re-instated as an Olympic sport? BBC Sport's Peter Scrivener

However, Finchem would prefer to follow the example of tennis and see the Games added to the schedules of golf's top professionals.

"While we have many significant events throughout the year, adding golf to the Olympics would provide another dimension to our competitive landscape," he said.

"I do not believe that Olympic golf would have any effect on the stature or prestige of these other significant events.

"Rather, it would provide another, complementary opportunity for our players to compete and demonstrate their skills on a global stage."

Open champion Padraig Harrington said: "Some golfers say we have four majors and that is enough.

"But you never know, in 50 years maybe the Olympics will be the number one major. It has to start somewhere. I would put in on my schedule now."