Tiger Woods, initially thought to be lukewarm on the idea of golf in the Olympics, was one of a number of top players who featured in a video aired when representatives of the International Golf Federation formally presented their case to the International Olympic Committee Programme Commission.

Making the presentation in Lausanne on Friday were Royal and Ancient chief executive Peter Dawson and US Tour executive Ty Votaw, executive director of the IGF Olympic Golf Committee.

Dawson stated: "Golf truly is an international sport, with 60million people playing the game in nearly 120 countries, and it continues to grow with new initiatives being implemented all over the world to teach the game to both young and old.

"We believe the time is right for golf to be brought back to the Olympic Games."

The video also featured women's world number one Lorena Ochoa, Phil Mickelson, Annika Sorenstam, Vijay Singh, Ernie Els and Sergio Garcia.

"We felt it was critically important to show that many of the game's biggest stars are saying supportive and positive things about golf's bid," commented Votaw.

"We obviously believe there is a very compelling case as to why golf should become an Olympic sport and today was the first step in what essentially is a year-long process."

Golf, last included in 1904, will next submit responses in March to a detailed questionnaire that will constitute the formal and technical bid for the 2016 Games. The IGF's initial view is for 60-player fields for both men and women.

Both the host city - Chicago, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro and Chicago are competing - and selection of any new sports will be determined at the IOC session scheduled for next October in Copenhagen.

Also under consideration are baseball, karate, roller sports, rugby sevens, softball and squash. They also made half-hour presentations on Friday.