Golf: Olympic great takes pop at Adam Scott

Adam Scott. Photo / AP

Adam Scott has pulled out of this year's Olympics in Brazil citing personal and playing reasons.

In a blow for golf's Olympic credibility, the world number seven from Australia has officially informed captain Ian Baker-Finch of his no-show for the August Games, leading to inevitable criticism from some sporting luminaries.

Legendary swimmer Dawn Fraser told her Facebook followers she had worked three jobs to fund her Olympic dream, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Scott, the 2013 Masters champion, said he had made the decision "as a result of an extremely busy playing schedule around the time of the Olympics and other commitments, both personal and professional." He said Baker-Finch and other officials understood his position.

Baker-Finch last month told a Melbourne radio station that he thought both No. 1-ranked Jason Day and Scott were excited about representing Australia at the Olympics.

Fraser wrote: "Well done Adam, great to put your country on hold so that you can fulfil your own schedule. How much money do you want in life? (You're) not showing much for your country."

Former long-jumper David Culbert said Scott would regret the decision later in his career although Culbert does not support golf's inclusion in the Olympics.

Culbert said: "It's his loss because to be an Olympian is something special and it's forever...I don't think you truly appreciate it until a long time after it's happened."

But long distance runner Steve Moneghetti went down the opposite track.

"I don't think it's about the money, it's an attitudinal thing and I don't hold it against Adam - that's his choice. It's not what I would do, but it's his prerogative," Moneghetti said.

"When he was growing up, he probably dreamed of winning the Masters, not of going to the Olympics like I did."