It sounds like Jordan Spieth will be the next player to withdraw from the Olympics

Spieth feels extra pressure to participate

Golf’s return to the Olympics is not really going to plan. With less than a fortnight until the cut-off point for qualification, eligible golfers are falling over themselves to withdraw. With world number four Rory McIlroy and world number one Jason Day both out, attention has turned to world number two Jordan Spieth, and things do not sound overly promising…

“Right now, I’m uncertain,” says the 22-year-old American. “I’ve always been excited about the possibility but there’s quite a few different factors that would turn somebody away from going.”

Several players have cited the Zika virus as their reason for withdrawing, despite health experts saying that the risk is very low.

“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,” says Spieth. “When I feel confident, I will make a decision either side.”

Zika isn’t the only thing giving Spieth reason to have second thoughts about making the trip to Rio.

“I’ve heard some stories on both sides about the security threats that Brazil and Rio have,” he says. “Transportation is a big security issue down there, how to get from one place to another with the different kind of violence that we don’t see here.

“I’m going to get answers soon on how we plan to be secured down there.

“This is personal safety type and future planning-type decision which is going to outweigh any pressure that we feel (to compete).”

Spieth says that he feels added pressure to compete in the Olympics now that Day and McIlroy have pulled out.

“I feel like one of four with maybe a slightly higher burden now that the guys have dropped out,” he says, but insists that golf’s future in the Olympics will be in jeopardy whatever he decides to do.

“Let’s not put it on me to save the Olympics. No matter what I do there’s already been enough players (withdrawing) that I think it’ll definitely have an impact.”

Golf has a place in the Olympics for Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, but its future as an Olympic sport will depend on the success of those two outings. An event missing the majority of its top stars is not the start golf was looking for. 

“Pending some crazy, great finish or whatever, I think there’s a significantly lower likelihood now of it staying in the Olympics than there was six months ago,” admits Spieth.