Golfer Jordan Spieth withdraws from Rio Olympics

McIlroy added, in an undisguised dig at the International Golf Federation, which did yeoman’s work in getting golf back into the Olympics after a 112-year absence, that he would tune into the Olympics, but to watch “the stuff that matters”. This was harder than trying to decide what university to go to. whether to turn professional and leave school.

The result, though, was the same: the nail in the coffin for an endeavor that looked good on paper but never had a chance once the realities of the Zika virus and other Rio health concerns, the unimaginative format, and the jammed schedule set in.

The former world No. 1 did not hold anything back Tuesday in his British Open press conference, speaking on drug testing and the Olympics. “. I don’t expect anybody to understand, but trust that I believe I’m making the right decision for myself for my future and for those around me”, he said.

Spieth’s stock has risen sharply in the past year after he won the Masters and U.S. Open and made a spirited run at the Grand Slam. “I just couldn’t make a decision”.

Spieth, who arrived at the Open previous year seeking the third leg of an unprecedented calendar grand slam after winning the Masters and US Open, said he will not defend his John Deere Classic title in the same week as the Olympics, feeling it would be “inappropriate”.

“I don’t think anyone can blame me for being too honest”. I thought about all this ahead of time.

As well as revealing his preference for Olympic diving over Olympic golf, McIlroy also said he does not feel a responsibility to help grow golf’s global profile, which was one of the prime motivating factors in the sport’s push for Olympic inclusion.

McIlroy is one of block of the world’s top golfers not attending the Games including Dustin Johnson, Jason Day and the latest to pull out, Jordan Speith. “But I’m not sure golf will be one of the events I watch”.

He said he would “make it a goal to play in Tokyo 2020”, and he hoped aloud to play in “four or five, you name it”, future Olympics, even while understanding that the withdrawals could harm the sport’s long-term Olympic standing.

Ithaca College Professor Stephen Mosher, an expert in sports ethics, contends that while concerns about Zika must be taken seriously, there is likely more at play in these golfers’ decisions to the games. I didn’t’ get into golf to try to grow the game.

Saying he was “very happy” with his choice, the Northern Irishman went further in giving Olympic golf a little kick while it’s down. “It was one of the hardest decisions he’s ever had to make”, he told. “Because I’m a huge believer in Olympic golf”.

“When I chose to speak out, it was a matter of being honest, speaking from the heart about what’s going on and calling on my colleagues to step up, get out there and put pressure on the people in charge to not let this happen anymore”. I have been there for three years. Just being a part of Team GB in a sense you feel like you’re part of something bigger than just your individual sport so it’s going to be a fun occasion.