Double Major winning Jordan Speith in another huge blow to the sport has announced he will not be competing in next month’s Olympic Games Men’s Golf competition in Rio de Janeiro.
The American has cited fears of the Zika virus in withdrawing from competition starting on August 10th.
News of the Texas-born golfer decision was relayed by officials of the International Golf Federation at a press conference at Royal Troon and venue for this week’s Open Championship.
Speith’s place in the four-man USA Team will be taken by Matt Kuchar and with Speith’s decision coming just three days after reigning US Open winner Dustin Johnson announced his fears also over the Zika virus as he reason for not wishing to compete.
And it means the competition will be missing the four top-ranked golfers in the world after the earlier withdrawal of current World No. 1 Jason Day, Johnson at No. 2. Spieth at No. 3 the present World No. 4 Rory McIlroy.
Spieth’s withdrawal now also brings to 17 the number of leading male golfers electing not to travel to Brazil.
Sixty male golfers will be competing for medals and after golf being admitted back into the Olympics following a 112-year absence.
