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• Catriona Matthew can see female pros withdrawing from Rio
• “I wouldn’t be surprised, to be honest,” said the Scot
• Says if she was younger, she’d seriously consider not going

CATRIONA MATTHEW | LADIES SCOTTISH OPEN

Catriona Matthew said she ‘wouldn’t be surprised’ if some of her fellow female professional golfers opt out of this summer’s Olympic Games due to the Zika virus.

The 2009 Women’s British Open winner, who currently occupies the second of two automatic qualifying spots for Team GB, says that despite the health concerns, she is more than happy to tee it up in Rio de Janeiro but can see some players pulling out closer to the start of the tournament.

“I wouldn’t be surprised, to be honest,” said Catriona Matthew, who looks all but certain to make the GB team. “But that depends on the reports that come out over the next few weeks.

“It’s definitely a concern. For me, you know I’ve had my family now so in that respect, I’m not worried. Certainly for some of the younger ones and some who are hoping to have families, I would definitely be very concerned. If I was at that age and stage of my life, I would seriously consider not going.

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Catriona Matthew

“I’ve not heard anything from the British Olympic lot about it – I’m just going on what I’m reading about in the papers. No one really seems to know about the side effects of it and that’s the worrying thing.”

Catriona Matthew was speaking ahead of next month’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Ladies Open and, after finishing T12 in last week’s KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, the Scot hopes she can maintain her form up until the tournament at Dundonald Links.

“I’m pleased with how I’m playing this year,” she added. “I’m really looking forward to it. Obviously it’s going to be the only time I’m going to be playing in Scotland this year and I think it’ll be a good event again.”

Catriona Matthew :: Olympics concerns

Do you think we’ll see some female players withdraw from the Olympics citing the Zika virus? Leave your thoughts in the ‘Comments’ section below.

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