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11.09.2007
01:07 pm (ET)
SHANGHAI, China (PA) -- Three-time major champion Phil Mickelson has backed golf to eventually become an Olympic sport and allow amateur players the chance to experience the thrill of representing their country on the world stage. Golf has been on the Olympic program twice, in 1900 and 1904, but failed to win enough votes to be included in the 2012 Games in London. It was one of five sports along with karate, roller sports, squash and rugby that were vying for the two spots available in London after baseball and softball were removed from the roster. But golf was eliminated after three rounds of voting, while karate and squash both failed to win the two-thirds majority required after reaching the final stage. Despite the result, world No. 2 Mickelson believes handing golf Olympic status would be of huge benefit to the game and offer amateur players the chance to enjoy an experience comparable to a Ryder Cup showdown. "Hopefully in the future, golf will become an Olympic sport because then Olympic foundations and Olympic organisations from every country will start to fund and support golf and support golf in countries throughout the world," the 37-year-old said at the HSBC Champions tournament. "Golf will become a much more global sport once it becomes an Olympic sport. "The earliest it would be in the Olympics is 2016, the absolute earliest possible," he added. "Hopefully I'll still be playing and maybe have a chance but I think it would be better if it was for amateur golfers as opposed to professional. "We as professionals have a chance to compete in Ryder Cups and Presidents Cups and World Cups and represent our country in so many different events." Copyright 2007 PA Sport. All rights reserved.
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