World No. 1 Jason Day Opts Out of 2016 Olympics

I should probably just start a weekly column that updates the list of the pro golfers who have dropped out of the Olympics.

First, it was Adam Scott withdrawing, primarily based on scheduling issues. And while losing Scott was recognized as a loss to golf at the Olympics, the pool of golfers was still considered deep enough for the sport to have a good showing.

And then zika happened.

Since then, Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel, Marc Leishman and Vijay Singh all announced they would not be participating.

Then Rory McIlroy, one of the most supportive pros for golf at the Olympics, decided to bail. Followed by the guy that was supposed to fill his spot, Graeme McDowell.

And now, the number one ranked golfer in the world will not be playing in the Olympics. Jason Day, like many of the others, cites his concerns over the zika virus as the primary reason for skipping Rio.

“The reason for my decision is my concerns about the possible transmission of the Zika virus and the potential risks that it may present to my wife’s future pregnancies and to future members of our family.”

And while I’m here this week, I might as well pass on the next golfer rumored to drop out.

Rumor is that Shane Lowry will pull out of the Olympics today at his press conference at Bridgestone.

— Alex Miceli (@alexmiceli) June 28, 2016

UPDATE: Yeah, Shane’s out, too.

Statement on my Olympic Games participation pic.twitter.com/KY4YBzFa3g

— Shane Lowry (@ShaneLowryGolf) June 28, 2016

So just to review, that’s the #1, #4, #8, #14, #24, and #25 ranked golfers in the world that will not be competing in what is meant to be a competition between the best in the world.

I’ll see everyone next week for the next addition of “Who’s Dropping Out of the Olympics Now!”

Cover Image via Flickr