The 38-year-old narrowly missed the cut at the Open Championship on Friday when he followed an opening 68 with a disappointing 74, to finish one shot away from making it through to the weekend.

The Italian National Olympic Committee said he was struggling and would not be able to recover in time to travel to Japan.

"Francesco Molinari is forced to give up on Tokyo 2020. The Azzurro golfer has suffered an injury in recent competitive engagements that will not allow him to recover in time to participate in the five-ring event," a statement said.

"The Italy team has asked to be able to replace Molinari with Renato Paratore and awaits the green light from the international federation to make the replacement."

Molinari - who won the Open in 2018 and has played on three victorious European Ryder Cup teams - has endured a tough season.

The former world No.5 slumping to 141st in the rankings.

Potential replacement Paratore is ranked even lower, at 192nd.

Golf returned to the Olympics at the 2016 Games in Rio, after last being contested in 1904, with Britain's Justin Rose taking the gold medal. Most of the world's elite players will take part in Tokyo, although American Dustin Johnson and Spain's Sergio Garcia have elected to stay at home.

The men's event is due to run from July 29 to August 1 at the Kasumigaseki Country Club.

Australian Associated Press