The likes of Tiger Woods, Padraig Harrington, Colin Montgomerie and Annika Sorenstam have already thrown their weight behind golf’s inclusion in the 2016 Summer Olympics – and today we’ll be one step closer to knowing whether their efforts have paid off.

Inside reports have already indicated that golf is likely to be selected today as one of two sports that may be included in the Olympics. The final decision will then be made on 9 October when the IOC's 106-member assembly votes on whether to take one or both sports in – or reject them outright. Other sports competing for the two spots include rugby sevens, karate, squash, softball, baseball and roller sports.

"I think that golf is a truly global sport and I think it should have been in the Olympics a while ago," Tiger Woods said.

"If it does get in, I think it would be great for golf and especially some of the other smaller countries that are now emerging in golf. I think it's a great way for them to compete and play and get the exposure that some of these countries aren't getting."

Woods said as long as he is still playing and healthy five years from now, he will take part.

"If I am not retired by then," said Woods, who would be 40 years old by the time the 2016 Olympics roll around.