5 Things: Big guns miss Rio, Tiger’s back and fun in the sun for Spieth

Scotty swerves 2016 Olympics

It came as no big surprise but is still a shame. Adam Scott has confirmed that he has no interest in playing in the Rio Olympics which could be good news for Marc Leishman who is next on the list at 33 in the rankings.

Scott blamed an ‘extremely busy playing schedule around the time of the Olympics and other commitments, both personal and professional’ for his withdrawal. Previously he had stated that he had far more interest in the Majors than the chance of a gold medal.

Scott is the second player to pull out, following Vijay Singh, and Louis Oosthuizen then made it the hat-trick.

His reason was family and scheduling issues or, in layman’s terms, he wasn’t too bothered also. The South African was 12^th on the rankings so, again, it was good news for Charl Schwartzel in 20^th spot.

Given Australia is a sport and Olympic mad country the news didn’t go down too well with the legendary swimmer Dawn Fraser who has eight Olympic medals, half of them gold, to her name.

She said: “Well done Adam great to put your country on hold so that you can fulfill your own schedule. How much money do you want in life? Not showing much for your country.

“I guess working three jobs a week to secure my place as an Olympic swimmer has given me the strength to say what I feel about sporstmen and women that do this. Well done Adam may you enjoy your sport and the money you earn gives you great pleasure. I am still trying to survive at 78 years old but a very proud Australian.”

And of course it also means there will be no Stevie Williams in Brazil.

Read our exclusive interview with Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston here

Tiger closes on playing return

Tiger is back hitting drivers again. Woods, who missed the Masters for the second time in three years, was at a Junior Invitational at Sage Valley (a Nike event) in South Carolina for a clinic.

The last time we saw him hit a ball was on a simulator in February, before that it was at the Wyndham in Augusta. In the videos he was also seen hitting wedges and his iconic 2-iron stinger and, according to reports, he is back playing holes and putting in lengthy practice sessions.

There is still no scheduled return but Quail Hollow (May 5), the Players (the week after) and the Memorial (June 2) are all usually part of the Woods calendar.

Tiger woods at Sage Valley yesterday. "MASHED POTATOES", of course someone had to. pic.twitter.com/cQyOilJ5ka

— Julieta ⚰ ?? (@JulietaRendoza) April 22, 2016

Spieth and Rickie go mad in the Bahamas

Here’s the perfect way to get over losing a five-shot lead at Augusta, get yourself down to Bakers Bay in the Bahamas (apparently the PGA Tour’s go-to getaway) for some down time with your good buddies Rickie Fowler, Justin Thomas and Smylie Kaufman (who Spieth partnered in the final round).

#SB2K16 @JordanSpieth @JustinThomas34 @SmylieKaufman10 appreciate the support @Casamigos pic.twitter.com/R1drwspfXH

— Rickie Fowler (@RickieFowler) April 20, 2016

And it seems the Fab Four could have been the Fantastic Five had Rory McIlroy taken up their invite. Among the activities McIlroy missed out on were golfing in swimming trunks (with comedy pics), jumping off balconies, doing (quite good despite appearing pretty well lubricated) David Feherty impressions and dancing on top of golf carts. A bit like a golfing version of Kevin & Perry Go Large meets The Inbetweeners Movie.

After seeing all these snapchats over the last few days… Maybe I should have taken @RickieFowler up on the invite! pic.twitter.com/6vWoFV9LlU

— Rory McIlroy (@McIlroyRory) April 22, 2016

WIN – nine holes at Royal Troon

This would be a nice competition to win – with a prize of nine holes at Royal Troon on the eve of this year’s Open Championship.

Two players will qualify from events held at each of the 13 regional qualifying venues for the Open, with Royal Troon Golf Club and the Ladies’ Golf Club, Troon both providing two players. It will be a handicap event with any member of those clubs eligible to enter.

Next year it will be expanded to cover all golf clubs in Great Britain and Ireland through a series of nine-hole events.

“Nine-hole golf is not new, but we feel it is often overlooked as a perfectly valid way to play the sport,” R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers said.

“We are delighted to introduce a nine-hole championship and will be promoting this format as a way of playing golf in less time which can have wider appeal among people who lead increasingly busy lives.”

An R&A survey on pace of play found that 60 per cent of players said they would enjoy golf more if it took less time, while 19 per cent said they would welcome the opportunity to play nine holes more often as an alternative format.

Mr President ticks off The Grove

Bizarrely when these types of stories come up we, (well some of us, well just me probably) are left always wanting more information.

In short Barack Obama was in town, which you might be aware of, and like any self-respecting golf nut he penciled in a round with David Cameron, who is better known for his tennis skills.

Here are the relevant points:

• They played at The Grove, home to the G20 London summit and, more importantly, the 2006 WGC-American Express
• This was Obama’s 286th game of golf in office, according to the unofficial statistician of the White House CBS News’ Mark Knoller
• The President saw his 12-foot putt at the 3^rd horseshoe out and then claim he was ‘robbed’
• He usually plays at Andrews Air Force Base, near Washington
• He has played against the prime ministers of Malaysia and New Zealand
• Cameron apparently parred the 1^st, no biggie given the hole measures 351 yards off the very back tees (which they wouldn’t have played off) but a par is a par
• And he was delighted to have only lost one ball
• Not surprisingly Obama took the money