McIlroy defends Rio player pull-outs

Rory McIlroy defended yesterday the growing number of top-ranked golfers pulling out of the Rio Olympics and denied it represents a stinging embarrassment to the sport.Golf is returning to the Olympics for the first time since 1904 in August but will not feature world number one Jason Day, fourth-ranked McIlroy or US Open runner-up Shane Lowry because of fears over the Zika virus, to name just a few big names.“As a tool to grow the game around the world, I think it’s great,” McIlroy, a four-time major winner, told reporters ahead of the 100th French Open, of golf’s inclusion at the Olympics.“Some people argue it would have been better to send amateurs there, but the whole reason that golf is in the Olympics is because they want the best players to go and compete.“Unfortunately with where it is this year, people just aren’t comfortable going down there and putting themselves or their family at risk.“I’d say if the Olympics were in most other cities or most other countries in the world you wouldn’t have as many people not wanting to go and participate.”Day and Lowry on Tuesday joined the likes of McIlroy, Graeme McDowell — both down to compete for Ireland — Fiji’s Vijay Singh, Marc Leishman of Australia and South Africa’s Branden Grace in announcing their intentions not to compete at the Games starting on August 5.Disease experts say that only pregnant women and people planning a family need fear Zika, a mosquito-borne virus which can also be transmitted via sex and is thought to cause a form of severe brain damage in babies.Spieth unsure about taking part in RioTwice major winner Jordan Spieth is still undecided about whether to participate in August’s Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games or opt out because of the Zika virus like several of his fellow professionals.The American world number two is the highest-ranked golfer left in the field after number one Jason Day withdrew on Tuesday, citing concerns over Zika, a mosquito-borne virus that the World Health Organisation says is spreading rapidly in the Americas.“Right now, I’m uncertain,” Spieth told reporters ahead of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.“I have not received enough information to make an informed decision either way or not so as we gather more information I will be able to make a decision one way or the other. “When I feel confident, I will make a decision either side.”Golf is returning to the Olympics for the first time since 1904, but the Games have already been hit by several high-profile withdrawals.Ireland’s Shane Lowry, the world number 25, also withdrew on Tuesday, saying his decision was based on firm medical advice.World number four Rory McIlroy pulled out this month, saying the risk of contracting Zika was one he was “unwilling to take”.Fiji’s Vijay Singh and Charl Schwartzel of South Africa, have also withdrawn because of the virus, along with Australia’s Marc Leishman.World number eight Adam Scott has confirmed he will not travel to Rio because of his busy schedule.The Zika virus can cause crippling defects in babies and has been linked to the neurological disorder Guillain-Barre in adults.