This comes after South Africa’s leading golfer, Louis Oosthuizen, withdrew from the Games for the second time in his career.

Both Higgo and Bezuidenhout are multiple winners on the European Tour this year, while Higgo also recently won a maiden PGA Tour title.

Speaking from Connecticut when he will play in the Travelers Championship this week, Higgo said he is going to Tokyo. “I will play in the Olympics,” said Higgo.

“It's going to be awesome. Anytime I can represent South Africa is a massive honour.

“It is going to be awesome playing with Christiaan. I know him and his caddy very well.

“It's just going to be a massive honour and hopefully one of us can take gold for South Africa. 

I think it will mean a lot for the country, especially with all that everyone in South Africa has been through. 

“Something like that would be similar to the Rugby World Cup in 2019.”

The Olympic golf tournament at the Kasumigaseki Golf Club tees off on 29 July.

@MorganPiek OFM Sport