Former European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley said on Monday that will be a "missed opportunity" for golf if the biggest men's names in the sport aren't in Rio for the Olympic Games.

SOUNDBITE: (English) Paul McGinley, former European Ryder Cup captain:
"You know, for an opportunity to showcase our sport in the biggest sporting event in the world and it's going to be missed. It's a shame but as Victoria (Lovelady) says, we're going to put on a good show and it will go ahead, mens and ladies and hopefully we'll represent the sport well and have a really good re-introduction of golf back into the Olympics again and with some really good golf. I know the golf course is great, I've been down there and Victoria played in the trial event down in March and the course is great and I'm sure it will be a great event."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Victoria Lovelady, Brazil:
"I understand the mens' schedule that it's really tight and I also understand their concern and the arguments that they have used. However I think they're really going to miss out because it's once in a lifetime, especially in Rio. You know, us Brazilians, we're really going to bring the festivity environment in so I think it's going to be an unforgettable Olympics."