The full list of qualifiers for golf's return to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro has been published, with the sport's world governing body highlighting the wide range of nations who have earned places.

Golfers from 40 countries appear in the 120 qualification places (60 men and 60 women) with every continent represented. The International Golf Federation (IGF) said this reflected the ‘Olympic effect’, which can also be witnessed in the increase in the number of national federations under its umbrella – this figure has grown from just over 100 to an all-time high of 147.

IGF president Peter Dawson said: “After eight years of intense planning, we are extremely excited to have reached this important milestone of identifying those players who are eligible to compete in Rio. We are particularly gratified to see how many countries are represented and anticipate compelling competitions on the outstanding golf course that Gil Hanse and Amy Alcott have created.”

Long road to Rio

Qualification began on 14 July 2014 and concluded on Sunday (10 July). The final rankings confirm the players who are now eligible to be entered by their respective National Olympic Committees (NOCs) in accordance with the qualification criteria. The IGF will publish a final entries list on 18 July.

Among the highlights on the men's list are USA pair Bubba Watson and Rickie Fowler, ranked fifth and seventh in the world respectively. Great Britain's Danny Willett, the world no.9 who won this year's Masters title, Sweden's world no.6 Henrik Stenson and popular Spaniard Sergio Garcia, ranked 12th, are among the other well-known names.The men's tournament will run from 11-14 August.

The women's list features the top-nine ranked players in the world, with New Zealand prodigy Lydia Ko likely to be the star attraction. The women's tournament will take places from August 17-20, 

World no. 1 Ko is the youngest golfer to win a major (Photo: Getty Images/Jeff Gross)