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Jordan Spieth has withdrawn from the Rio Olympics
JORDAN Spieth’s decision to not go to the Rio Olympics hasn’t left golf “in the best light†according to International Golf Federation President Peter Dawson who lead the charge for the sports return to the Games.
Spieth, the world No.2, joined number one Jason Day, number three Dustin Johnson and number four Rory McIlory in opting out of the Olympics, joining the queue of golfers citing fears over the Zika virus.
Only eight of the top 15 male golfers in the world will be in Rio, while only one female, Lee Anne Pace of South Africa, has made herself unavailable.
Dawson, who was key in the push for golf to get back in to the Olympics after 112 years, believed there had been an “over-reaction†by players to the Zika virus,
“There is no doubt that the number of withdrawals hasn’t shown golf in the best light,†he said.
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Jordan Spieth has withdrawn from the Rio OlympicsSource:AFP
“Personally, I think there’s been something of an over-reaction to the Zika situation, but that’s for individuals to determine, and there’s certainly a great deal of concern about this issue inside the game of golf, no doubt about that.
“But we remain confident that we’ll stage two very exciting and compelling golf competitions in Rio.â€
Australian Open winner Matt Jones also withdrew from selection, giving up the spot which was his after Day, Adam Scott and Marc Leishman all made themselves unavailable.
The Australian mens team in Rio will be Scott Hend and Marcus Fraser. The women’s team of Minjee Lee and Su Oh had already been confirmed.
Golf will feature in the next Olympics in Tokyo in 2020, but it’s future beyond then remains clouded.
“What I’m hoping is that when we come to play in Tokyo in 2020 at Kasumigaseki that the top players do support Olympic golf. I think it’s very important that they do,†Dawson said.
“As I’ve said before, it’s the biggest grow-the-game opportunity available, and we need grow-the-game opportunities. And I can’t think of a better way for players to give back to the game, frankly, than to support Olympic golf.â€