He’s Out. Rory Officially Withdraws From Olympics

And so the other shoe drops.

Rory McIlroy spoke of his concerns over the Zika virus and the Olympics about a month ago.

That concern was enough for the fourth best golfer in the world to decide to avoid Rio altogether, releasing his decision in a statement on Monday.

“After speaking with those closest to me, I’ve come to realize that my health and my family’s health comes before anything else.

“Even though the risk of infection from the Zika virus is considered low, it is a risk nonetheless and a risk I am unwilling to take.

“I trust the Irish people will understand my decision. The unwavering support I receive every time I compete in a golf tournament at home or abroad means the world to me.

“I will continue to endeavor to make my fans and fans of golf proud with my play on the course and my actions off it.”

This is just another blow to the International Olympic Committee and the International Golf Federation.  Not only is it the fourth Major winner to back out of the Olympics—following Adam Scott, Louis Oosthuizen, and Charl Schwartzel—but Rory was one of the few golfers that was supportive of golf at the Olympics.  He often spoke about the opportunity and honor of being able to represent his country in the Olympics, calling it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

A few questions now present themselves now that Rory is out.  Beginning with, will more pros follow his lead?  Graeme McDowell and Shane Lowry are next in line to take Rory’s place, but will either of them want to go?

There were already a lot of issues working against golf at the Olympics.  The condensed schedule alone being reason enough for some to take a pass.  Now, with more reports of Rio being unprepared to host and mosquitoes carrying a new and unknown virus, it seems the golf experiment may be destined for failure.

At the very least, the game certainly will not be represented by the best in the world.

Cover Photo via Flickr