Gary Player “Disappointed” by Top Golfers’ Withdrawal from Olympics
Legendary South African golfer Gary Player has expressed disappointment in the high-profile golfers who have withdrawn from the Olympics next month in Brazil, which will mark golf’s historic return to the Games after 112 years. Speaking to the Golf Channel (see video below) the three-time Open champion – who is South Africa’s team captain – said he is […]
Legendary South African golfer Gary Player has expressed disappointment in the high-profile golfers who have withdrawn from the Olympics next month in Brazil, which will mark golf’s historic return to the Games after 112 years.
Speaking to the Golf Channel (see video below) the three-time Open champion – who is South Africa’s team captain – said he is “bitterly disappointed” by their decision which has been motivated mainly by concerns over the spread of the Zika virus.
“In America today, there [are] plus-minus combined with car accidents and guns, 100,000 people killed a year, and you’re going to go and play in a golf tournament where Zika is the great word. I think there’s a greater chance of that happening to you in America than getting Zika. I was just in Zambia, where you have Malaria, and it didn’t concern me at all,” said Player.
He said the withdrawals have amazed him, and “I just hope that it doesn’t hurt golf. I hope we stay in the Olympics. I do believe we should have it for amateurs and not for professionals.”
South Africa’s own top players – Branden Grace, Louis Oosthuizen, and Charl Schwartzel – have all withdrawn from consideration, leaving world No. 67 Jaco Van Zyl and No. 92 Brandon Stone to represent SA at the Olympics.
Van Zyl is dedicated to doing his best and has pulled out of The Open and PGA Championship to prepare for the Olympics.
Player said he admired his decision “very much indeed” and had spoken to Van Zyl on the phone the other day.
“It’s the biggest sporting event in the world, and I would have given anything to have a gold medal,” Player told the Golf Channel.
He added that “although our three best players have withdrawn, I’m going to be very positive about us doing well.”
Other sports which applied to be included in the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games were rugby, karate, squash, softball, baseball and skating – but only golf and rugby were approved. According to the Olympic committee, the decision to re-include golf was due to a growing interest in the sport. The total number of sports at the Olympics is now 28 with a maximum of 10,500 athletes and 310 events.