World’s No. 1 Jason Day won’t go.
Neither will No. 3 Rory McIlroy.
Now everyone is eyeballing No. 2 and that would be young Jordan Spieth.
Will he or won’t he play in the golf competition at the Rio Olympics?
Speith still has no answer and that’s what he told everyone this week as he prepares for the WGC Bridgestone at Firestone Country Club in Akron.
“Right now I’m uncertain,” Spieth said, giving a shaky update on a shaky situation. “I personally have not received enough information that would allow me to make a confident decision either way at this point.”
Day won’t risk the health of his young family and is planning on more children sooner than later and that’s a legit concern.
Same for Rory, who is engaged to be married.
But there are other concerns in Rio as well. One is security. All of these golfers are wealthy, very wealthy, unlike a lot of the other Olympic competitors. They can be kidnapping targets. There is also the problem of everyday life in Rio with the Zika risks. There is also a problem with the open waters where watersports will be conducted. The pollution levels are unsafe.
There are problems we don’t deal with in the United States.
So does Spieth want to chase an Olympic medal or get ready for the PGA Tour Playoffs and the Ryder Cup?
Bet here is he’ll pass.
And who would blame him?
2 Comments
beege
golf in the olympics is a total debacle. useless waste of time. The only thing different about this compared to any other tournament is the opening ceremonies and the closing ceremonies. It is a medal stroke play event no different from a world golf event which is taking place starting tomorrow in Akron. They at least should have made a different format. Couple that with the uncertain atmosphere of Rio and you point out the potential of kidnapping. Stay away, play the John Deere and be safe.
Tom Edrington
Amen Bob, as we have written before, it is the majors that define golf, not medals in the Olympics. Different deal for track and field and swimming….that is their highest honor.