Golf’s return to the Olympics for the first time in 112 years has been hit by a host of the world’s leading male players withdrawing en masse, with American star Jordan Spieth the latest name to pull out on Monday.
Advertisement
“Personally, I think there’s been something of an overreaction to the Zika situation, but that’s for individuals to determine, and there’s certainly a great deal of concern about this issue inside the game of golf, no doubt about that”. “I’m excited about it, treating it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity”, said 2013 U.S. Open champion Rose. “I can tell you that I’m not specifically pinpointing any one thing in my health concerns either”, he said.
Jordan Spieth calls his withdrawal from the Olympics “probably the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make in my life”. “I bounced back and forth with, and ultimately a decision had to be made yesterday, and so I made it”.
That was clearly a shot at golf’s Olympic boosters, who have said it’s the best way to spread the sport to nontraditional areas, with South America being at the forefront this year.
What do you think of Rory McIlroy’s comments surrounding golf at the Olympic Games?
With golf guaranteed to be played at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo but not past that, the game’s leaders will now have to come up with some way to put a positive spin on the sport’s further inclusion.
Troon – Justin Rose is hopeful the threat posed by the Zika virus will prove to be a “non-event” as he explained his decision to compete at the Rio Olympics next month. It’s the most exciting sporting event for me to watch on TV, and to have a chance to be a part of it is something I definitely look forward to trying to do.
Spieth said that although he doesn’t expect anyone to understand his decision, he believes it’s the right one. “You’re just going to be jealous when I get that gold, ‘” Spieth said.
McIlroy also spoke to the press about his role within the game, claiming his job as a golfer is to try and be successful as possible.
Spieth had planned to room with Fowler in Rio, and he said he texted Fowler after informing the IGF that he wasn’t going to play.
“I think there is a genuine concern about this, not just amongst the players but among their families, their wives and their girlfriends and so on”.
“I guess it’s the start of a new chapter for me in the Open championship”, he said. He also announced he will not defend his title at the John Deere Classic, which is being played opposite the Olympics.
“I don’t think it was as hard a decision for me as it was for him”, McIlroy said.
Either way, Spieth said he would be watching.
McIlroy says he’s “very comfortable” with his decision not to go to Rio. I’m sure at times I’ll be pretty upset that I’m not down there. “I thought about all this ahead of time”.
Advertisement
“I’ve never been to an Olympic Games in any capacity; to go as an athlete is a huge honour”.
