Charl Schwartzel of South Africa is the latest player to drop out of the Olympics, making him the fourth major champion in the last two weeks to decide against being part of golf’s return after a 112-year absence.
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We found out about this from South Africa golf team captain and nine-time major victor Gary Player, who posted a reaction to the news of their withdrawal, as well that of other top players, on Twitter.
Former Open victor Oosthuizen, 33, pulled out last week citing family commitments and a taxing schedule.
The Russian Olympic Committee has spent over 500 million rubles ($7.8 million) on preparing the national team for the Olympic Games in Rio-de-Janeiro, Russian Olympic Committee President Alexander Zhukov has said.
Adam Scott and Vijay Singh previously said they won’t be playing.
“I would have given anything to play in the Olympics. I was sorry to hear that Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel have withdrawn their names from consideration”. Several players have cited scheduling conflicts, perhaps valid based on the concentrated schedule of the four majors to accommodate Olympic golf, as well the potential spread of Zika virus, which causes birth defects in children.
Branden Grace, who won at Hilton Head two weeks ago, is the highest-ranked South African at No 11. With both players skipping the Olympics, the second South African roster spot now falls to Jaco Van Zyl at No. 59, with 85th-ranked George Coetzee also in the mix.
Singh not playing means Fiji will not be represented in the men’s competition.
Another golf legend has sounded off regarding players ditching the 2016 Olympics.
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“Players today make so much and should be giving back”, Player wrote.
