Golf is making its first appearance in the Olympics for the first time since 1904, but 20 men – including the top four in the world rankings – have pulled out, many citing concerns over the Zika virus.
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McIlroy’s cool, calculated delivery of his words was like a dagger twisting into golf’s Olympic dream, perhaps a response to comments from former R&A chief Peter Dawson, a torch carrier for golf’s return to the Games and president of the International Golf Federation, who had talked on Monday of an “overreaction” to the threat of the Zika virus by some players.
“Because I’m a huge believer in Olympic golf”. “Probably the events like track and field, swimming, diving, the stuff that matters”.
“I don’t think it impacts you, but I think it’s very cool to walk through the clubhouse halls to see that”, said Spieth of Troon’s history.
“I got into golf to win championships and win major championships”. And yes, the women understand the idea of greater exposure for their sport while I think many stars on the PGA Tour don’t believe they need to go to the Olympics to improve their “brand”.
“I’m at the point where I’m focusing on my performance rather than just trying to get fit”.
“I’ve received a lot of help from many different organisations within the game, and it doesn’t take much to give back in certain ways, and I always try to do my fair share”. It was only when he was leaving the room that the 22-year-old Texan smiled and said to no one in particular, “Do we have a tournament this week?”
Either way, Spieth said he would be watching.
Northern Irishman McIlroy, 27, said golf is “all about the four majors” and “that’s the way it should stay”, but that he would consider competing at Tokyo in 2020.
Rio de Janeiro starts the one year countdown to host the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on Wednesday, August 5. “There’s been a couple of times this year, whether it be the third round at Augusta or even the first round at Oakmont where I’ve maybe just haven’t had the confidence in myself to hit the shots that are required, and that goes back to belief”.
VisitScotland estimates the The Open at St Andrews a year ago delivered an economic impact of £140 million to Scotland, with nearly two-thirds of spectators having attended from outside Scotland and 28 per cent from overseas. I bounced back and forth with it and ultimately a decision had to be made yesterday.
The decision whether or not to keep golf as an Olympic sport will be taken next year. But golf is a fickle game, and players such as Woods, who remain on top for years at a time, don’t come along very often. It wasn’t an easy decision for me. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think I could win”.
Spieth stressed that it was not just a worry about the Zika outbreak that made him withdraw.
Let’s be clear, golf is an utterly selfish sport. I will stand by it. He said he has only been tested once in a year by the Olympic drugs testing team and that it was a urine test not a blood test.
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Rose is especially pumped for the opening ceremony. Playing the last few holes, I was obviously in contention, and then being able to win at Augusta was awesome.
