De Jonge pulls out but Garcia ready for Rio
Print Edition
ZIMBABWE’S Brendon de Jonge added his name to the list of golfers withdrawing from the Olympics yesterday, even as Spain’s Sergio Garcia confirmed he will compete in Rio.
While world No. 1 Jason Day of Australia and Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy are among the 12 golfers skipping the Rio Games because of concerns over the Zika virus, de Jonge said his was “truly a business decision”.
“The reason for my decision is not my concern about the Zika virus. It is truly a business decision,” De Jonge said in a statement to GolfChannel.com. “It would have been a great honor to play for my country.”
De Jonge is currently 160th on the FedEx Cup points list, after missing the cut 15 times in 19 starts this year, and needs to finish in the top 125 at the end of the season to keep full playing rights. Competing in the Rio Games from August 5-21 would mean missing two PGA Tour events.
“I am truly disappointed, but my current position on the FedEx Cup points list does not allow me the luxury to skip the John Deere Classic or the Travelers Championship,” the 35-year-old added.
“I must finish in the top 125 to gain entry into our FedEx Cup playoffs. This has to be a priority for me and my family.”
De Jonge’s withdrawal means that Zimbabwe will not be represented in Rio, but Spain’s Garcia said he will take up his place as golf returns to the Games for the first time since 1904.
Garcia, 36, wrote on Twitter: “I know there r some dangers but representing Spain, trying to make golf grow & becoming an Olympian r too important so I’ll be at @Olympics.”
With de Jonge pulling out, Lin Wen-tang would qualify and give Chinese Taipei two spots in the 60-man field.
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