Spieth: Olympic Withdrawal 'Hardest Decision I've Ever Made'

(ATR) Jordan Spieth agonized for weeks over his decision about competing at the Olympics – consulting with his team, while also seeking advice from fellow golfers and even Olympians across other sports.

Ultimately, the U.S. golf star said he made the decision to skip the Olympics "100%" on his own citing "health concerns," as the reason. Spieth informed International Golf Federations officials at Royal Troon Golf Club, site of this week’s 145th Open Championship.

"This was the probably the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make in my life at 22-years-old," Spieth told reporters at a press conference at Royal Troon on Tuesday.

"This was something I very much struggled with, I bounced back and forth with, and ultimately a decision had to be made yesterday and so I made it," said Spieth, who is currently ranked number three in the world behind Jason Day and Dustin Johnson, both of whom have also withdrawn from Rio.

Spieth would not reveal details of the medical advice he received and didn’t specifically cite the Zika virus as his primary reason, leading to conjecture over possible security concerns.

"I can tell you that I’m not specifically pinpointing any one thing in my health concerns either," Spieth continued. "You guys have put that without me saying it. This is health concerns as a whole."

Despite his arduous decision, Spieth said he is a big proponent of golf at the Olympics, and one of his main goals is getting another shot at the Games in Tokyo 2020.

"I’m a huge believer in Olympic golf – in playing for your country and I absolutely look forward to Summer and Winter Olympics.

"This year, I just had to try and weigh a risk that doesn’t present itself every year, and at the time I had to make a decision, I just felt this was the right move for me," Spieth said.

"Not everybody’s going to understand, but trust that I believe I’m making the right decision for myself, for my future and for those around me," he said.

Spieth thrilled golf fans last season making a legitimate run at golf’s Grand Slam, winning the Masters and U.S. Open, before faltering in a playoff at the Open Championship at St. Andrews. He was named PGA Tour player of the year and inked a deal with Olympic top sponsor Coca-Cola.

"Unfortunately, this is going to be a very, very difficult thing for me to do to watch the opening ceremony and watch my peers compete for a gold medal or any medal, and watch people stand on the stage and hear the National Anthem playing," Spieth conveyed with emotion in front of a packed room of golf journalists. "It’s a decision that will loom with me for a long time.

Asked if he believes golf’s image has taken a hit in recent weeks, as nearly 20 players are foregoing the Rio tournament, Spieth said: "Do I think it looks bad on golf? Maybe. Again, I’m making the decision of what I think is best for me.

"I don’t feel like have to carry the torch – see what I’ve done here – for the sport or anyone else," Spieth said eliciting laughter. "This is bigger than that for me personally."

Spieth follows fellow U.S. golfer Dustin Johnson who pulled out of the Olympics on July 8. The Texas golfer will be replaced by U.S. veteran Matt Kuchar in Rio, while Patrick Reed takes Johnson’s spot. Bubba Watson and Rickie Fowler are confirmed for the Games rounding out the U.S. squad.

"I texted Rickie immediately and said ‘I’m sorry buddy, but I’m not going to be joining you down there" Spieth said after making his final decision. "He said ‘No worries, I know you had to make it just for you. You’re just going to be jealous when I get that gold.’"

McIlroy Won’t Watch Olympic Golf on TV

Four-time Major champion Rory McIlroy said he didn’t agonize like Spieth over his recent decision to pull out of the Rio Games. The golfers evidently have contrasting views about golf as an Olympic sport.

"Honestly, I don’t think it was as difficult a decision for me as it was for him," McIlroy told reporters at Royal Troon following his practice round Tuesday. "I’m very happy with my decision and I have no regrets about it."

Queried by Around the Rings if he feels like he and other top golfers are letting down the game by not going to Brazil, McIlroy showed no remorse.

"I don’t feel like I’ve let the game down at all," he said. "I didn’t get into golf to try and grow the game, I got into golf to win championships and major championships, and all of a sudden there is a responsibility on you to try to grow the game. I get that, but at the same time it’s not the reason I got into golf.

McIlroy said he’ll most likely watch the Olympics on TV, but not necessarily his fellow golfers.

"I’ll probably watch the Olympics, but I’m not sure golf will be one of the events I’ll watch."

Responding to ATR on the events in Rio that he will watch, McIlroy said: "Probably events like track and field swimming, diving, the stuff that matters."

Written by Brian Pinelli in Ayrshire, Scotland

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