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• Jordan Spieth calls Rio decision ‘hardest of his life’
• The world’s top four will not be competing in Brazil
• “I felt this was the right move for me,” said the American

JORDAN SPIETH | OLYMPICS

Jordan Spieth said opting not to play in this summer’s Olympics was ‘the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make in my life’.

The 22-year-old, who informed the IGF yesterday morning that he wouldn’t be playing in Rio, cited ‘general health concerns’ – not solely the Zika virus – for a call he says he’ll be carrying the weight of for a while.

“Listen, this was probably the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make in my life – at 22-years-old,” said Jordan Spieth. “I can probably, honestly say that. This was something I very much struggled with and went back and forth with, and ultimately a decision had to be made yesterday and I made it.

“I’m a huge believer in Olympic golf. I’m a huge believer in playing for your country. The Olympics is the most exciting event to watch on TV and to have the chance to be a part of it is something I look forward to trying to do. This year, I just had to try and weigh risk that doesn’t present itself every year and in the time that I had to make the decision, I just felt this was the right move for me.

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“No one is going to understand what it feels like to be in my shoes. It came down to a very personal decision and I believe I’ve made the right one for myself and my future. People don’t know what I know about myself, and my future, and my goals, and therefore there’s nothing I can do about it except go on and try and focus on this week.”

With Jordan Spieth absent, Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler, Patrick Reed and Matt Kuchar will now represent the USA, with Fowler announcing on Twitter on Sunday night that he’d be going. The pair are living together this week, with Spieth revealing what Fowler told him after he made his decision.

“I texted Rickie immediately after I decided and said, ‘Rick, I’m sorry buddy, but I’m not going to be joining you down there. Sorry about that. I’m obviously going to be rooting for you, bud’. He said: ‘No worries. I know you had to make it just for you. You’re just going to be jealous when I get that gold!’ That’s what he said.”

Jordan Spieth :: Olympics absence

What do you make of Jordan Spieth’s decision not to go to the Olympics? Leave your thoughts in the ‘Comments’ section below.

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