TROON, Scotland – Jordan Spieth was careful Tuesday to cite “health concerns,” not specifically the Zika virus, as his reason for withdrawing from the Olympics.
The mosquito-borne virus has been the reason given by the rest of the top four players, Jason Day, Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy, as well as other worldwide stars. Spieth said his decision was based on “strictly health concerns as a whole,” without offering any specifics. He had mentioned two weeks ago at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational that his decision could also be influenced by personal safety concerns.