Day Out: Blame It On Rio? Is This A One-Off?

Dave Shedloski weighs the comments of Jason Day and the statement from Shane Lowry adding themselves to the list of Olympic WD's, and in the short term Rio is taking the blame.

He writes:

Both said they are still fully committed to attending the World Cup in December in Australia. Yes to the World Cup and no to Olympic gold.

Blame it on Rio. All of it.

Both men, in their 20s and intending to have children in the near future, cited the Zika virus in their decisions.

What remains to be seen: how the male golfers' view of Rio contrasts with athletes in all other sports. If the Games go off well and the virus is a non-story (big ifs), they will end up looking pretty bad. If it's a boondoggle and spreads the virus, then all of this will be forgotten.

This, however, may be wishful thinking if the above best case scenario plays out:

“Yeah, I think it is a one-off. It depends,” Day said. “Certain things we just don't know. Like something could happen elsewhere down the road, and unfortunately that could make people pull out. I just hope they look past this and go, ‘You know, we're looking at the bigger picture and trying to grow the game,’ and hopefully if they can do that, then the Olympics can stay -- the golf can stay in the Olympics and everyone can move on to hopefully Tokyo and try and play there.”

Jeff Babineau at Golfweek makes the point about other athletes grinning and bearing it only making golf look worse.

This may be a one-off situation and 2020 in Tokyo could be fine, but golf has no concrete place in the games beyond that. A decision on golf’s future rides on this year’s performance. Will the Olympic torch holders who make the big decisions give golf a pass? Or whisk golf away? Truthfully, if athletes in many other sports show up in Rio, you have to think golf’s future in the games has dimmed.

But as Luke Kerr-Dineen notes in calling the situation a disaster (I, the eternal optimist see silver linings galore), points out that lack of excitement over the format along with scheduling should not be discounted.

Olympics: "The entitlement and point-missing among the top (male) golfers is depressing."

Even though it doesn't take a rocket surgeon to know that schedule congestion, motivational issues, format problems and overall spoiledness are the more likely culprits for male "grow the game" advocates skipping Rio, it's still nice to see someone finally call out the men passing on golf's spot in the Games.

Alan Shipnuck in this week's SI/golf.com roundtable:

The entitlement and point-missing among the top (male) golfers is depressing. They are on their way to getting their dying, boutique sport tossed from the biggest athletic happening in the world. Then they won’t have to worry about playing in the Olympics beyond 2020. A small win for these selfish players but a big loss for the sport to make new fans and reach new markets. 

But we won't focus on all of the South Africans passing or grow-the-game advocate Rory McIlroy making a last minute decision not to go.

Because at least Sergio is all in, John Austin reports:

"There are some security issues there that I would like to be taken care of and the Zika virus is causing a few problems but I don't have immediate plans of having a family with my girlfriend.

"But if nothing else happens between now and when it is time to go then we should be fine."

Golf Digest's Undercover Pro tells Max Adler that while there are issues, the golfers who pass on Olympic golf will ultimately regret it. Or so he thinks.

Put Alex Miceli at Golfweek down as the first to push back at the IOC member whining about the lack of top stars wanting to go to Rio.

If the games were in North America, Europe, many parts of Asia, Australia or New Zealand, athletes likely would make the trip. Instead, the IOC want to make statement by going to Rio for the first Olympiad in South America. And now the golfers are making their own statement.

Golf doesn’t need the Olympics, but the sport is willing to support the quadrennial games, if it makes sense.

The IOC, in turn, should be willing to support golf and not criticize its best players for making a thoughtful stand.

Irish Olympians Criticize McIlroy Over Olympic WD

Luke Byrne reports for the Independent on Irish athletes criticizing Rory McIlroy in a variety of tones for passing up his Olympic opportunity over the Zika virus.

Irish Olympic sailor Annalise Murphy said making it to the games to represent her country was her dream and she was unconcerned about the Zika virus.

Murphy, who will represent Ireland in the laser radial event, pointed out the Olympics are taking place in the middle of winter in Rio - when there will be fewer mosquitoes.

"I've been in Rio four times in the last seven months. There are not that many mosquitoes in the city.

"The Olympics are in August, which is the middle of winter for Rio. The Zika virus is not really a concern for me," she said.

"The Olympics are my dream, I've been working the last few years of my life for this. Most athletes would be the same," she said.

Boxer Darren O'Neill, who just lost out on a team berth, was even more brutal in his assessment.

We discussed the news on Golf Central and as I noted, McIlroy's interest in being a world ambassador had to make his decision more difficult.

Rory's Rio WD: Why Are Golfers The Athletes Most Fearful Of Zika?

And to be more specific: male golfers.

Looking at this For The Win list compiled before Rory McIlroy reversed course just weeks and days after saying he was all in, men's golf is easily the sport with the most WD's from the Games over Zika virus.

Granted, golf is played in a setting where the few mosquitos sticking around in August might be setting up shop. Not one prominent athlete outside of golf and competing close to water has withdrawn over Zika.

With Rory citing Zika so soon after suggesting it was not a huge issue is, for someone who was so passionate about the Olympic opportunity, likely to create the possibility of several more players on the fence to withdraw. Brian Keogh at the Irish Golf Desk talked to Ireland's team captain Paul McGinley, who spoke to McIlroy last night but was not expecting the announcement today, explains that he was not aware of what changed in the last ten days.

The most likely scenario: locker room chatter at Oakmont and a lack of reassurance that the golfers will be safe. And continued disdain for the schedule. And no peer pressure to play had their been a team format.

Still, it is hard not to conclude that the expansive world schedule in golf and the lack of any need for golfers to view golf as the ultimate in their sport, is making the decision easier. I explained some of the dynamics that went into not rearranging the schedule when Adam Scott withdrew.

The IGF's Ty Votaw addressed the news on Morning Drive.

The full IGF statement:

STATEMENT FROM THE INTERNATIONAL GOLF FEDERATION

The IGF is disappointed with Rory’s decision but recognises that some players will have to weigh personally a unique set of circumstances as they contemplate their participation in golf's historic return to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, with the Zika virus foremost among them. It is unfortunate that the Zika virus has led to Rory's decision to withdraw from the Olympic Games, knowing how much he was looking forward to taking part. As we have stated before, the Olympics is the world's greatest celebration of sport and we remain excited about golf's return after a 112-year absence. It will truly be a special occasion for our sport and we are confident that the 60 men and 60 women who will represent their respective countries will find it an experience they will cherish forever.

Monty Questions Olympic, BMW Defectors

Alex Miceli reports on the comments by Colin Montgomerie as he prepares to defend his Senior PGA in Michigan.

On the Olympics:

“I think that, to take the opportunity is golden in every way,” Montgomerie said Wednesday, on the eve of his title defense at the Senior PGA Championship at The Golf Club at Harbor Shores in southwest Michigan. “What we did to try and get the Olympic, golf in the Olympics, I can’t understand why some people have said that it’s not for them. I really can’t.”

And this will please European Tour chief Pelley:

“I’m surprised that a number of top Europeans aren’t playing,” Montgomerie said. “Not many, if any, don’t compete at the TPC at Sawgrass (site of the recent Players Championship). And I really, for the life of me, I don’t understand why top Europeans – probable possible Ryder Cup players, whatever, this year especially – aren’t competing at Wentworth. I don’t understand that.”

Video: Golf.com's Debut Film On Golf And Life In Rio

Golf.com is getting into the short documentary world and debuts with a film on golf and life in Rio called, "A Beautiful Game."

Part of the pitch:

Brazil does not have deep golfing roots, but it does have Breno Domingos, a 19-year-old from the humble village of Japeri who has overcome long odds to ascend to the top of Brazil’s amateur ranks. The film tells the tale of Breno’s unlikely rise while also exploring the rest of Brazil’s golfing landscape.

Ritter also files this accompanying story. The film is about 17 minutes...