Fowler tweets he’s going to Olympics

United States Ryder Cup player Patrick Reed says he will compete at the Rio Olympics, despite the Zika virus.

Golf is back as an Olympic medal sport following a 112-year absence, but the story leading into the tournament has been the decision of numerous star players to skip the event.

Jason Day, Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy previously withdrew, all citing the Zika virus.

Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson (No. 5), Patrick Reed (No. 13) and Matt Kuchar (No. 15) will join Fowler on Team USA. Spieth, rated third, has until 7 p.m. ET on Monday to commit to the US squad.

“We’re really excited. We can’t wait and it’s going to be a lot of fun”. Now that we’re on the inside, I was able to talk to the right people and figure out everything that’s going on and what the plans are for our team’. I think the biggest thing is I get to represent my country again – get to wear red, white and blue.

“There is no doubt that the number of withdrawals hasnt shed golf in the best light, and we have to accept that, ” said Peter Dawson, president of the International Golf Federation.” But we do understand why these individual decisions have been taken.

Most have expressed concerns about Zika, a mosquito-borne virus that the World Health Organization says is spreading rapidly in the Americas, though some have cited scheduling and family issues. “I left it late, until the last hole, but winning solves a lot of things and I think it now has solved this one and got me into Rio”. Any time I get to wear those colours, it’s a huge day.

Jordan Spieth, who has dropped to world number three, said last month he expected to represent the American team in Rio in August.

“It was longer than normal but that was just because of the time change and where I’m at”.