Scott to skip Olympics because of 'extremely busy' schedule
April 19, 2016, 10:06 pm
Adam Scott announced Tuesday that he will not participate in the Olympics.
In a statement, the Australian said that his decision was the result of an “extremely busy playing schedule around the time of the Olympics and other commitments, both personal and professional.”
For months, Scott has been lukewarm about golf’s inclusion in the Summer Games, and he has said repeatedly that he would place more focus on trying win a major than a gold medal.
Scott is the second player to withdraw himself from consideration in the past week, after Vijay Singh of Fiji told GolfChannel.com last week that he will not head to Rio.
In line to take Scott’s place on the Australian team is Marc Leishman, who is No. 33 in the Olympic Golf Rankings, but even Leishman’s participation is no certainty. His wife, Audrey, is still recovering from a series of dangerous infections last year, and Leishman won’t commit to the event until he learns more about the health issues in Rio.
“I am aware I am now next in line but I must make sure I get all the relevant information because this will be a big decision for me and for my family,” he told the AAP.
Golf Australia chief executive Stephen Pitt said: “We’re obviously disappointed Adam will not play because he’s one of the best players in the world, but we understand his position. This means one of our other elite players will get the chance and we’re more than happy that we will field a very strong team in Rio."
World No. 1 Jason Day is scheduled to play.
