Exodus from Olympic Games golf continues as world No 1 Jason Day withdraws over Zika virus
Five of the top-ranked 15 players are now giving Rio a miss as sport makes farcical return after a 112-year absence
THE OLYMPIC Games golf tournament is fast threatening to descend into one of the biggest major sporting farces after world No 1 Jason Day pulled out due to concerns over the Zika virus.
The Australian’s withdrawal now means that five out of the top 15 players in the world rankings are now skipping Rio.
Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy, the world No 4 pulled out last week joining South African duo Branden Grace (12) and Louis Oosthuizen (14).
And Irishman Shane Lowry, who recently finished in a share of second place in the US Open, also announced he was not travelling to Brazil.
World No 8 Adam Scott joined the exodus after declining to travel for what he said were ‘other reasons’.
McIlroy's fellow countryman Graeme McDowell, the 2010 US Open champion, also decided against travelling.
Another former world No 1, Fiji’s Vijay Singh, pulled out of the event in April.
The good news for organisers is that world No 2, American Jordan Speith, will be in the field when the sport returns to the Games after a 112-year absence.
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Despite the World Health Organisation stating that Zika, a mosquito-spread virus linked to brain defects in newborn babies, posed a ‘very low risk’ to participants, Day, 28, refuses to put his family at risk.
The reigning US PGA Championship winner said in a statement: “I have always placed my family in front of everything else in my life.
“Medical experts have confirmed that while perhaps slight, a decision to compete in Rio absolutely comes with health risks to me and to my family.
“My wife Ellie and I have been blessed with two wonderful and healthy children and our plan is to have more.
“While it has always been a major goal to compete in the Olympics on behalf of my country, playing golf cannot take precedent over the safety of our family.
“I will not place them at risk. I hope all golf and Olympics fans respect and understand my position.”
Day said he hopes golf remains an Olympic sport for years to come and intends to push for selection again at the 2020 Games in Japan.
