Versailles, France … Australia’s and current World No. 1 Jason Day is the latest to shock Olympic Games golf officials by withdrawing from this year’s Rio Olympic Games.

The reigning PGA Champion is now the third Australian to withdraw from the Games and with the father of two young children, Dash and Lucy, citing fears over the Zika mosquito-borne virus may cause birth defects if he and his wife Ellie try for more children.

“It is with deep regret I announce that I will not be competing in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games this coming August in Rio de Janeiro,” Day said in a statement.

“The reason for my decision is my concern about the possible transmission of the Zika virus and the potential risks that it may present to my wife’s future pregnancies and to future members of our family.

Jason Day cites fears over the Zika virus as his reason for withdrawing from the Olympic Games.

“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.”

Day now joins fellow Australian’s Adam Scott and Marc Leishman as Rio Games withdrawals.

Australia’s men’s team will now be Scott Hend and Marcus Fraser.