He told today's issue of The Melbourne Sun-Herald:  "I don't think professional golf needs the Olympics, nor does the Olympics need professional golf."

 

Ogilvy, currently ranked fifth in the world, said: "If the sport does join the Olympics, my suggestion would be that it would be more appropriate for amateurs to play, rather than pros, to promote the true spirit of the Olympics.

 

"However, I am generally not in favour of the idea."

 

Golf, which hasn't been an Olympic sport since 1904, is battling with rugby, squash, karate, softball, baseball and roller sports for one of two available spots for the 2016 Games.

 

While Ogilvy is against the idea, Australia's world number 18 Aaron Baddeley is.

 

He told The Melbourne Sun-Herald: "Golf is becoming more and more a 'world sport' and being embraced by many different countries and so I think the sport joining the Olympics would be great for golf and for the Olympics."

 

A decision is due at the International Olympic Committee session in Copenhagen in October 2009.