Golf returns to the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro next month following an absence of 112 years, but British Open champion Zach Johnson has questioned whether the sport truly belongs on the Games schedule.

The 40-year-old American believes minority sports are more deserving of prominence in an event that only comes around every four years.

“I don’t know if golf has its place in the Olympics now,” Johnson said. “We are relevant 24/7, 365 days of the year, if that’s your barometer and criteria relevancy.

“I think golf fans really look forward to the majors ... and the Ryder Cup in particular. I know, as a player, those are my motivations.

“No offence to the Olympics but I’d rather be on the Ryder Cup team. As an American golfer I have that opportunity and that’s what I’d rather,” added Johnson.

Johnson believes, however, that it is too early to tell how the string of high-profile withdrawals will affect golf’s return to the Games.

“Will it fit in? Is there any motivation? Is there going to be any tradition? ... it’s yet to be seen,” he said.

“The Olympics is the premier event when it comes down to a lot of different sports. Those sports should be at the forefront, wrestling, all those sports that just don’t get the recognition the mainstream sports get.

“Those athletes train essentially for three or four years for that one opportunity and one week. You can argue that basketball and soccer, do they really need to be in there?

“My guess is they want a World Cup before they want a gold medal, they’d want an NBA Championship before they want a gold medal.”