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Adam Scott has left the door open to represent Australia at next year's Olympics in Japan despite remaining staunchly against golf's place at the Summer Games.
Former world No.1 Scott was opposed to golf returning in 2016 to the Olympics, after a 112-year absence, dubbing the Rio edition a "weaker-than-most field that doesn't really pique my interest".
Scott's stance was lambasted by Australian former athletes at the time, including swimming legend Dawn Fraser.
Australia's only winner of the Masters green jacket still believes it should not be at the Olympics, or should at least be contested by amateur players.
But he has not ruled out lining up for Australia in Tokyo.
"It is possible, absolutely," Scott said on Monday at The Australian GC, ahead of Thursday's Australian Open.
"I haven't prioritised it ... but I haven't ruled it out. We will see how the year shapes up for me."
Scott suggested Olympic golf could be improved by becoming a teams event.
"I still question strongly why it is there; I don't see the need," Scott said.
"It was incredibly disappointing that it was just a 72-hole stroke (play event); I think there could have been so much done with it.
"I don't think we're getting the most out of it, for a sport that is certainly not struggling at the professional level."
Scott said the reason for entertaining Tokyo was that he wanted to make an informed, emotionless decision once he had confirmed his 2020 schedule.
"You always have to stay open minded; I just don't want to hastily say 'no' or be silly based off more emotion.
"I know it is going to be a very successful event in Japan because the Japanese love golf."
Scott will headline the 104th Australian Open after countryman Jason Day's injury withdrawal.
Turning 40 next July, Scott is desperate to win the Open for a second time having lifted the Stonehaven Cup in 2009.
A frank Scott admitted he thought he would have won more Opens in the decade since, but conceded the same about his US PGA Tour and major championship career.
"It took me the better part of 10 years to win (the Australian Open) and 10 years later and I haven't won another," he said.
Scott's greatest chance came in 2013 when he was beaten on the final hole by superstar Rory McIlroy at Royal Sydney.
He finished second by one shot again in 2015 to Matt Jones at The Australian GC.
"I've been close a couple times but I was pipped at the post," Scott said.
"The most frustrating thing, if I look at my career, is that I didn't win more Aussie Opens, or majors for that matter, in a period when I'd say I played my best golf from 2011 through to the end of 2016."
However, a hot PGA Tour season, highlighted by two runner-up results, has Scott confident of another purple patch he hopes starts this week.
"I think I've got another stretch in me," he said.
"I'd very much like to win here at The Australian; I like this course a lot."
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