Henrik Stenson sets Olympic Games target

Henrik Stenson said he will fly the flag for Sweden at the 2016 Olympic Games, adding his name to the growing list of stars bound for Brazil.

With a field of 60 players set to reintroduce golf at a Games for the first time in 112 years, Stenson has joined the likes of Rory McIlroy in endorsing the International Olympic Committee's decision to welcome the sport back to the showpiece.

Michelle Wie went even further earlier in June, suggesting a gold medal might be more important than winning a major title.

Stenson - speaking ahead of the BMW International Open in Munich - was more reserved, but said the thought of standing on an Olympic dais motivated him.

"I'm excited, will be very excited to go to the Olympics if I get one of the spots for Sweden," he told a news conference.

"A year out I'm in a good position, a lot of things can happen in golf as we know in a year's time but if I can secure my spot, I'd be very happy to go.

"As a sports fan, in general, it would be an amazing thing to be a part of an Olympic Games and to go there.

"On the competition side it's going to be a little bit different to what we do on tour, it's going to be a smaller field due to the selection criteria.

"It might be a slightly different field as well not just limited but it's going to be more spread out. It will be a little bit different to the regular tour events.

"If you're going to put it in there I think the majors are still the biggest prizes in our game but winning an Olympic medal or gold would be right up there and I think that would grow on you as time goes by.

"I think that would be a thing looking back at your career, if you manage to get a medal at the Olympic Games, it's something that would grow on you as time goes and it would be a massive thing in Sweden as well because every Olympic Games, the athletes who win the medals are of heroes of the people.

"It would be a lot of motivation to do well there."

Stenson is all but assured of his spot in Rio, with the world number seven able to qualify if he remains in the top 15 - but the lack of similarly ranked Swedes will likely see him appear anyway.

A maximum of four players from any one country are allowed, with the only other current top-100 Swedes being Alexander Noren (70th) and David Lingmerth (71st).