The Swede became the first Scandinavian to win a major title on Sunday (July 17) after a fabulous three-shot victory at Royal Troon in Scotland.

Now the number five in the world, he will be the top ranked player in Rio after the top four all withdrew. 

Jason Day, Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson all pulled out citing fears about the Zika virus but many have claimed the top stars don't view the Olympics as important and were looking for an excuse not to compete.

Irishman McIlroy even went as far to suggest that he would not watch the Rio golf tournament, preferring to focus on the sports that "matter". 

More than 20 players have withdrawn in all with the situation prompting huge debate about whether golf deserves its Olympic spot.

With an Olympic gold medal not holding the same prestige as a major title, the appeal for some players is seemingly low.

Stenson, however, holds a different view and will take some stopping if he takes his Open form into the Rio Games. 

"I've been excited to go and get a feel of the Olympic atmosphere for a long time," he said.

"I want to try and play well and do myself and my country proud by hopefully bringing home a medal.

"I have a few nice trophies at home, and it would be nice to hang an Olympic medal next to them.

"Like with any competition, five years down the line you're not going to think about who wasn't there. 

"You're going to think about who won the medals."

Other sports have not been widely affected by players withdrawing due to supposed fears about Zika - the mosquito-borne disease which has been linked with a condition in which babies are born with small heads and underdeveloped brains.

Carlos Nuzman, the President of both Rio 2016 and the Brazilian Olympic Committee, suggested that the lack of prize money was the real reason for the spate of exits.

One-hundred-and-twenty men and women will compete in Rio in all, with the sport making its return to the Olympic schedule for the first time in 112 years.

Forty-one countries will be represented with Masters champion Danny Willett, competing for Great Britain, another big name not to have pulled out.

"Every continent is represented in the rankings, affording golf a unique opportunity to grow the game in underexposed territories and to achieve greater visibility with the potential television audience during the Games in Rio," an International Golf Federation statement said. 

"Across the two individual competitions, Africa has five eligible players; Asia 32; Australasia and Oceania seven; Europe 52; North America 14 and South America 10."