Pulheim, German … Ireland Olympic Golf Captain, Paul McGinley while disappointed Rory McIlroy has withdrawn says Ireland remains a strong gold medal candidate.

In short, McIlroy said he was not prepared risking contracting the Zika virus given he is planning to be married next year.

And with exactly 50 days to the start of the Games, McGinley reacted to the announcement saying: “Like all Irish people I’m obviously disappointed.  It would’ve been great to have one of the superstars, not just of golf, but of the game as part of the Irish team.

“That’s not going to be the case anymore but we’ll move forward. We still have some very, very strong contenders for a potential medal in Rio.”

And McGinley stressed McIlroy’s decision has nothing to do with his commitment to Ireland winning the gold medal in golf.

Paul McGinely says Ireland remains a strong gold medal chance despite the disappointed Rory McIlroy has withdrawn from the Ireland team

“If he’d said it from the start it would be quite clear, but here’s a guy that I communicated with a lot over the last couple of years,” said McGinley.

“Here’s a guy that I’d gone down to Rio and done a lot of logistic work for, put a lot of things in place for him.

“Here’s a guy where we had the golf bag organised with his name on it. Here’s a guy who got fitted for the uniforms. Here’s a guy who took all the jabs that are needed when you go to a South American country and a guy who was fully committed up to a week ago.

“But in the last week he’s taken a view that this is a risk I’m not willing to take, with him getting married next year, with a view to maybe having a family quite soon.”

McIlroy was in Paris on Tuesday to see Northern Ireland qualify for the last 16 of the Euros but McGinley said he doesn’t believe that shows that the Olympics wasn’t weighing on his mind.

“I think that’s just a coincidence to be honest. I spoke to him at length yesterday, he was certainly not in a noisy bar or anything like that, far from it,” he added.

“He went through it all, he gave me the reasons and I accept those reasons. I support his decision and respect his decision and we move forward. It’s a decision that only he can make himself with those around him close to him.

“It’s not for me to have an influence on, each individual athlete has to come to their own decision regarding the threat of Zika.”

The withdrawal of McIlroy should ensure, and with 50 days remaining, that Ireland will be represented by Shane Lowry and Graeme McDowell.

• McGinley’s comments appeared on UTV Ireland.