Danny Willett: 'Olympic golf tournament still important'

Great Britain's Danny Willett has insisted that the Olympic golf tournament is still valued by the players, despite the absence of the world's top four.

Jason Day, Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy have all chosen to miss the event in Rio de Janeiro, but Masters champion Willett feels that whoever prevails in Brazil will be deserving of the rewards that come off the back of their success.

The 28-year-old is quoted by The Express as saying: "I know that people aren't here but the field strength this week is still very, very good.

"It is great they have given an exemption to the gold medal winner for the four Majors. It would have been cool if they'd have offered it on a staggered scale to the other Majors – if you finish third, you've played great."

The tournament gets underway on Thursday.