Jordan Spieth Will Not Compete In Rio Olympics

U.S. golfer Jordan Spieth pulled out of the Rio Olympics just two days before the Open Championships.  Spieth cited health concerns about the Zika virus as a major factor in his decision.  With so many golfers opting out of Rio it will be difficult to make a case for golf to continue to exist as an Olympic sport.  This won’t be based solely on Spieth’s decision not to participate; top golfer and fellow American Dustin Johnson, Irishman Rory McIlroy and Australian Jason Day had all decided not to play before Spieth.

According to ESPN Spieth said he struggled with the decision.  “This was probably the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make in my life,” he said.  Spieth was forthcoming with his decision, but he knows what the consequences of this might be after the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.  “I certainly hope they vote to keep it, because I believe it can be very beneficial for the game and I would love to be a part of benefiting the game with it,” Spieth said.

Spieth has been silent on Twitter about his decision.

At the same press conference McIlroy was less eloquent as to why he isn’t competing.  According to ESPN, he didn’t get into golf with the intention to represent his country at the Olympics, he said.  He plays golf to win major championships.  “I got into golf to win.  I didn’t get into golf to get other people into the game,” McIlroy said.  At least he’s honest.

Golf has not been an Olympic sport for 112 years, so if it doesn’t exist players won’t aspire to it.

McIlroy commented that he probably won’t check updates on golf during the Olympics. “[I’ll] probably [watch] events like track and field, swimming, diving, the stuff that matters,” he said.

It is hard to determine who could be more offended by McIlroy’s comments, the International Olympic Committee who finally agreed to include the golf or the golfers representing their respective countries.

Men’s golf US Olympic team members are Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler, Patrick Reed, and Matt Kuchar in the field of 60 competitors.  Watson is ranked No. 5 in the world and the highest rank of all golfers in the field of 60.  2016 Masters champion Danny Willett who halted Spieth from his second consecutive green jacket, will also be participating in the Olympics.

Women’s golf US Olympic team includes Lexi Thompson, Stacy Lewis, and Gerina Piller.