Like a growing number of golf’s elite players, Spieth has opted not to play in the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
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It now means none of the world’s top four golfers will be in Rio with Day, Dustin Johnson, Spieth and McIlroy all making themselves unavailable.
Peter Dawson, the former R&A CEO and current IGF president, did his best to remain positive about the Olympics return to the Games but acknowledged his disappointment in the rash of men’s marquee players to withdraw.
Philippine team chief of mission to the Olympics Joey Romasanta expressed regret over Que’s decision but said he respects it.
IGF vice-president Ty Votaw said: “He called us earlier today and he’s going to be addressing his reasons for choosing not to participate tomorrow in his press conference”.
Now, the USA team is expected to be made up of golfers Bubba Watson, Matt Kuchar, Rickie Fowler and Patrick Reed.
Dawson was speaking at a news conference before this week’s Open Championship in Scotland, where the leading players have assembled for the third major tournament of the golf season. While I am sure some will be critical of my decision, my hope is that most will understand and support it. He also used the parallel of tennis and the reluctance of big-name players to compete when that sport returned to the Olympics in 1988.
The 40-year-old American, who claimed his second major championship when he triumphed at St Andrews 12 months ago, believes minority sports are more deserving of prominence in an event that only comes around every four years. Medical experts have confirmed that, while perhaps slight, a decision to compete in Rio absolutely comes with health risks to me and my family.
“As an athlete, I can think of no greater honor than representing the United States in the Olympic Games”, read his statement.
In other words, the competition will be weak, and because it is the Olympics, there is little money to be played for.
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“I’m looking forward to walking around with the team tracksuit on and feeling like I’m a part of something bigger than just golf”. I just don’t have a lot of information yet, and I will by next week, I think, have a significant amount more.
