“On average I probably get tested four to five times a year – which is very little compared to the rest of the Olympic sports”.
Advertisement
Spieth cited health concerns as his reason for withdrawing, though he said the Zika virus was only part of it. Asked what kept him out of the Olympics, the 22-year-old Texan would only say that it was personal and anyone in his shoes would have made the same choice. “But whether there’s something out there where it can make you an overall better player, I’m not sure”, said McIlroy, who added he gets drug tested about six times a year.
The absences are a blow for golf’s returning to Olympic competition for the first time since 1904, and has been deemed by some as proof that the sport should not be an Olympic event as the professionals simply do not take it seriously enough at that level. “I certainly hope they vote to keep it. Because, I believe it can be very beneficial for the game and I would love to be a part of benefiting the game with it”.
World number four McIlroy had earlier hit back at critics who questioned his Olympic decision, saying that he was playing golf to win and not grow the sport.
“Honestly, I don’t think it was as hard a decision for me as it was for (Spieth)”, McIlroy said.
Rory McIlroy dealt another blow to golf’s relationship with the Olympics today as he indicated that he would only watch “the stuff that matters” at next month’s Games.
“I’ve been tested by the IGF (International Golf Federation) once this year… but it was only a urine test. I haven’t been blood-tested yet”.
As the cream of the world’s golfers prepared for the 145th Open championship, yesterday was dominated by further talk of the sports participation in the Games.
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.
McIlroy says the infrequent urine tests performed by golf’s major governing bodies aren’t almost enough to root out any doping cheats who might be looking for an edge on the course. Few people – as you can see, a lot of golfers are trying to decide for themselves.
“I guess it’s the start of a new chapter for me in the Open championship”, he said. “You’re going to make sure that you’ve got that opportunity”.
A recent column suggesting he could be the fourth Beatle – behind Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson and Jason Day – rubbed the Irish linksman the wrong way.
“It’s been sort of a sad sort of situation to see those sorts of guys pulling out”.
Spieth said he didn’t make up his mind until Monday morning, and the decision was his alone.
Advertisement
“I don’t know of a banned substance that could help a golfer across the board, with driving, with putting, with concentration”.
