No one was prouder than Colin Montgomerie when he joined a delegation that travelled to Lausanne and were rewarded with golf returning to the Olympic Games.

However, Montgomerie has added his disappointment and also expressed shame at the number of withdrawals from the men’s Olympic Golf competition.

Thirteen of the world’s leading golfers, headed by four-time Major winning Rory McIlroy,  have thrown the future post 2022 of golf continuing in the Olympics by withdrawing from the sports return following a 112-year absence.

The many faces of Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)

“It is just a shame, and to think a few of us were there, that went to Lausanne when Annika Sorenstam and I went there with Peter Dawson, the ex-Chief Executive of the R&A, and we presented in front of the IOC committee on the fact of golf becoming part of the Olympic Games,” said Montgomerie ahead of teeing up on day one of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.

“We were successful in that bid. And it is a shame that a number of top players have decided not to go.

“If there was as many ladies not going, you might have thought that was okay.

“So for me, it’s disappointing. It is the first time we’re back in the Olympics since 1904 and we don’t show up.”

However, Montgomerie who was speaking ahead of this week’s Scottish Open at Castle Stuart near Inveness in northern Scotland, was not about to criticise any player who has chosen not to travel to Rio.

“It’s not for me to say the health situations,” he said.

Colin Montgomerie says it’s a shame the top golfers will not be in Rio. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss,com)

“I thought it was a disease that affected women more than it did men. Sorry, but never mind. There you go.”

Five-time Major winning Phil Mickelson, and winner of the back-to-back 2013 Scottish Open and Open Championship, found himself also drawn into the controversy, and while he will not qualify the current World No. 21 would not hesitate in representing his country.

“I would definitely play if I was in the Olympics but then I’m not but it would be an incredible life experience and something that I really set out to do,” he said.

“I worked hard in the off-season to try to accomplish that goal, and unfortunately I haven’t had the results that year that I needed to to get in.

“And I guess I would be concerned of the future of golf in the Olympics going forward.

“But then I really don’t know what’s going to happen. I think it’s great for the sport, and I think it’s a great opportunity. But I understand — I don’t think the reasons for players not going are Olympic-related as much as they are concerns for where it’s at.”

And Henrik Stenson, who will be Sweden’s top-ranked Olympic Games qualifier, said he fears bears more than Zika-carrying mosquitoes.

“I’m not afraid of mosquitos. I’m more afraid of bears,” he said smiling.

“No. I’ve been looking forward to playing in Rio for quite some time. There’s different aspects to it; there’s being part of the Olympic movement and seeing an Olympic Games from kind of the inside.

“So it’s going to be an experience of a lifetime for a sporting fan.”