Rose became golf’s first Olympic champion in 112 years when he saw off Sweden’s Henrik Stenson to clinch the title at Rio 2016.

Since then, Rose climbed to as high as world number one in September 2018.

But having failed to win on the Professional Golf Association Tour in a barren 12 months, Rose has slipped to 38th spot.

It leaves Rose in a difficult position as he needs to get himself inside the world’s top 15 to guarantee a place – although there is a limit of four players per country within that number.

Players will have until June 21 to accumulate points in the Olympic golf rankings.

Question marks remain over whether the Olympics will go ahead this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Rose is hopeful the Games will take place but admits he still has work to do to qualify.

"It's not a concern if you are not in the team," Rose told Sky Sports.

"For the sake of golf, even if I'm not there, I'd love it to go ahead.

"It was a great spectacle last time and I think, biased of course, golf came out pretty well.

"Japan being an established golfing nation, I think hosting the golf would be fantastic.

"I have heard conflicting reports on how things are over in Japan and how they are preparing for it.

"I have got bigger problems than that.

"I've got to focus on my own position, clearly the English lads are playing really well.

"There's going to be quite a few guys to get past, but my goal would be to be in the top 15 in the world.

"That should be a pretty strong position to make the team.

"Four years is a long time between events.

"You have to earn your way back.

"That's front and centre for me.

"Saying that, I've always learned in the past you can't chase it.

"My good golf has come through a process, a belief in what I'm doing and a plan and focusing on the little things and doing them really well.

"I can't force my way back into the top 15 in the world, I can only play good golf week to week and that's the objective."

A maximum of two players will be eligible from each country that does not already have two or more among the top 15.

Tyrrell Hatton leads the way in fifth ahead of Rory McIlroy in seventh, Matthew Fitzpatrick in 18th, Tommy Fleetwood in 19th, Paul Casey in 27th and Lee Westwood in 37th.

"If I have got the opportunity to play in the Olympics I would definitely go," Hatton added.

"It would be, I imagine, a fantastic experience and not one you are ever guaranteed to be able to do again.

"Hopefully I can give myself the opportunity to be on the team."