Rory McIlroy has decided that the Zika virus risk in Rio simply isn’t worth it.
McIlroy has announced that he will not compete for Northern Ireland in the Rio games.
“Even though the risk of infection from the Zika virus is considered low, it is a risk nonetheless and a risk I am not willing to take.”
The risk may be higher for golfers than other athletes competing in Rio due to the extended hours that golfers spend outdoors, exposed to elements, including insects.
McIlroy is the highest ranked player to bow out. He joins Adam Scott, Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel, Marc Leishman and Vijay Singh on the list of golfers who won’t compete at the Olympics.
World’s No. 1 Jason Day hasn’t decided either way. Jordan Spieth has been the face of Olympic golf, going so far as to make some commercials for the games. But there is a chance Spieth could back out.
U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson hasn’t indicated either way, he has a new family member with young son Tatum.
No word from Bubba Watson either.
Stay tuned.
