The Man from Omega

It's a pity. Ty said, and I'm sure you'll agree, the aim of getting golf into the Olympics was to develop the game in China, India and other developing countries. Another 72- hole stroke play slog won't really do it …

Obviously we weren’t involved in choosing the format, but I think they could have perhaps made it more sexy. Just a four-day stroke play event [sighs].

You know, they could have made it a match play event somehow. I know it's not easy because in match play you don't have teams, and you have only two guys playing in the final.

Also, I think they could have mixed the genders, something every sport does. Tennis does it, I feel in golf it would be fantastic to have a mixed one-day, men and ladies for the country would be fantastic. I think it would have been fun. Maybe in Tokyo. We'll see what they do. But it'll be good. Assuming they finish the golf course of course! Latest news they have, my friend: three holes are finished. So Ty is saying, play those three holes six times!

So, you’ve invested a lot of money in golf in China. What are your plans there going forward?

I see two things we can do. The first is to be with top golfers. We were with Liang (Wen-chong) for many years. You know, he came to Switzerland, he went to Dubai with us, he was very helpful, and today we have the number one lady golfer, Shanshan Feng. She can win a gold medal in Rio you know. Fantastic for golf in China.

And the second thing is we are working at junior level, helping them to get some juniors through the Olympic thing for Rio.

This is how golf will pick up in China. Not by having a big expensive event, as they have now. This is not the answer. One weekend, they go, pay money and watch. No. If the masses don't follow there is no reason. It's a waste of time. You have to go at the roots. To get the young people involved. In China we know the Olympics is so important for them, you know. That’s the one way they can express their national pride. So, I'm confident. We'll see.

I would love Shanshan to win the gold medal. We could have 1-2-3 for Omega! We have Stacy Lewis, Michele Wie and Shenshen Feng in Rio. And in the men's we have Rory and Sergio.