Tour News

Spieth withdraws from the Olympics, Fowler commits

Published

10 years ago

Jul 11, 2016

The International Golf Federation (IGF) announced on Monday that world No. 3-ranked golfer Jordan Spieth has withdrawn from the 2016 Olympics in Rio. He joins Jason Day (No. 1), Dustin Johnson (No. 2), Rory McIlroy (No. 4), and Adam Scott (No. 8), as well as a slew of other potential participants who have withdrawn their names from the Olympic games.

Like many others before him, Spieth cited “health concerns” as his reasoning, according to an ESPN report.

No. 7-ranked golfer and American Rickie Fowler, on the other hand, confirmed via Instagram that he will be competing in the Summer Olympics. He will join Bubba Watson (No. 5), Matt Kuchar (No. 15) and Patrick Reed as Team USA representatives.

Peter Dawson, President of the IGF, had this to say regarding the state of golf in the Olympics, according to the USA Today.

“It’s certainly disappointing that we’ve had so many withdrawals on the men’s side, and wonderful that all of the women have been very supportive. I think I should say now that I don’t think it’s appropriate for us to discuss individual cases, especially as they’re generally decisions have been taken on health grounds. Speaking collectively though, there is no doubt that the number of withdrawals hasn’t shed golf in the best light. Hasn’t shown golf in the best light, and we have to accept that. But we do understand why these individual decisions have been taken.

“Personally, I think there’s been something of an overreaction to the Zika situation, but that’s for individuals to determine, and there’s certainly a great deal of concern about this issue inside the game of golf, no doubt about that.”

Based on this year’s decisions from the top-ranked golfers, it’s not a stretch to say there is general concern for the future of golf in the Olympics.

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Andrew Tursky

He played on the Hawaii Pacific University Men's Golf team and earned a Masters degree in Communications. He also played college golf at Rutgers University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism.

18 Comments

Bruce Ferguson

Jul 30, 2016 at 10:13 pm

It’s not necessarily all about the Zika virus. Anyone that follows the news knows about the shortcomings of this Olympic venue. There’s the decomposing corpses, trash and fecal matter floating in the water sports area, the poorly constructed coastal bike path which washed out in a storm, the uncompleted or substandard housing in the Olympic Village, and the list goes on. This is the product of a system that expects bribes and kick backs from bidding contractors for construction and services. I feel badly for the Brazilian man on the street. They deserve better leadership.

Reply Report comment
Bert

Jul 12, 2016 at 5:12 pm

Not sure what the Olympics are; are they a patriotic event? Do they athletics represent their country of themselves? I’ve always been taught to follow the money and it appears the athletics aren’t getting any, must put their lives in jeopardy, and train for years to win a medal. Am I missing something or does the Olympics use the athletics and their devotion to country to make millions for others?

Good decision Jordan, more should follow.

Reply Report comment
Charlie

Jul 12, 2016 at 7:06 am

Whoa. I take back my comment. Good on ya.

Reply Report comment
Tom

Jul 11, 2016 at 10:59 pm

The beginning and the end of Olympic golf competition.

Reply Report comment
Adam

Jul 11, 2016 at 10:22 pm

Good on you for not giving into Charlie’s peer pressure of negative comments.

Reply Report comment
Kirk Murphy

Jul 11, 2016 at 9:10 pm

My belief is that many if not all of these golfers are using the Zika virus as a mask for the real reason to not participate. I think they are afraid for their safety because of all of the political unrest in Brazil and the neighboring countries right now.

Reply Report comment
- Tom
  
  Jul 11, 2016 at 11:02 pm
  
  Ya like the 72′ Olympics.
  
  Reply Report comment
steve

Jul 11, 2016 at 6:19 pm

Fowler is so calulating, with all the withdrawals and his bad play lately. He must figure a medal will go a long way to promote himself.

Reply Report comment
ooffa

Jul 11, 2016 at 6:14 pm

Speith, too much of a Diva to play for his country.

Reply Report comment
- Smokin'Gun
  
  Jul 11, 2016 at 10:09 pm
  
  Put yourself in his shoes, worth millions and basically still a kid. Would you like someone commenting on your boy like that??? He is surrounded by his parents whom I’m sure help out in making decisions…
  
  Reply Report comment
RedX

Jul 11, 2016 at 5:34 pm

+1 to that. Big call from, Fowler.
Hope he can find some form, pretty scratchy of late.

Reply Report comment
Mississauga Jim

Jul 11, 2016 at 5:33 pm

More than Zika, more than Brazil, it’s about security. Rio is not a safe environment to travel to. Lots of poverty, lots of crime. Speith would be a prized target, as would other golfers of his stature for kidnapping.

Reply Report comment
Matt

Jul 11, 2016 at 5:12 pm

Is anyone from any other event at the Olympics backing out, or is it just the golfers?

Just curious.

Reply Report comment
- Tom
  
  Jul 11, 2016 at 11:00 pm
  
  Nope.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Charlie
  
  Jul 12, 2016 at 7:08 am
  
  LeBron, Curry, Harden all backed out.
  
  Reply Report comment
Charlie

Jul 11, 2016 at 3:58 pm

incoming mzizzle or whatever’s negative comment!

Reply Report comment
- Philip
  
  Jul 11, 2016 at 4:41 pm
  
  LMAO
  
  Reply Report comment
Sam

Jul 11, 2016 at 2:53 pm

Smart man for not going!

Reply Report comment

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