World No.1 Jason Day has pulled out of the Rio Olympic Games due to concerns over the Zika virus.
Day released a statement on Tuesday night confirming the news.
โIt is with deep regret I announce that I will not be competing in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games this coming August in Rio de Janeiro,โ Day said.
โThe 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.
โI have always placed my family in front of everything else in my life.
โMedical experts have confirmed that while perhaps slight, a decision to compete in Rio absolutely comes with health risks to me and to my family.
โMy wife Ellie and I have been blessed with two wonderful and healthy children and our plan is to have more.
โWhile it has always been a major goal to compete in the Olympics on behalf of my country, playing golf cannot take precedent over the safety of our family.
โI will not place them at risk. I hope all golf and Olympics fans respect and understand my position.โ
Fellow Australians Adam Scott and Marc Leishman have also already withdrawn from the Games.
