Charl Schwartzel takes his name out of Olympic consideration
Charl Schwartzel is now the fourth major winner to pull himself out of consideration for the 2016 men’s Olympic golf tournament.
The 2011 Masters winner didn’t announce this decision himself. Rather, it was South African team captain Gary Player who revealed Schwartzel’s choice in a statement shared on Twitter about the rash of players — five now — who have chosen to skip golf’s first Olympic appearance since 1904.
“I am sad and disappointed that several top players have withdrawn from the Olympic Games in Rio,” Player wrote. “Not just South Africans. I would have give anything to play in the Olympics. South Africa had a great team, but now obviously, it wiill not be as good. Players withdrawing hurt the game of golf. I was sorry to hear that Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel have withdrawn their names from consideration.”
Schwartzel and Oosthuizen join Adam Scott, Vijay Singh and Miguel Angel Jimenez, who have all decided to also pass on Olympic tournament in Brazil. Several players have cited scheduling conflicts, perhaps valid based on the concentrated schedule of the four majors to accommodate Olympic golf, as well the potential spread of Zika virus, which causes birth defects in children.
The South Africans clear the way for Jaco Van Zyl and George Coetzee to potentially take a second spot in the 60-player men’s event along with Branden Grace.
No matter who winds up playing in the 60-player men’s and women’s events, Player believes this is a great opportunity for the field and the sport at large.
“The Olympics will undoubtedly grow the game worldwide no matter who plays and who doesn’t,” Player said. “All top players should think carefully about this.”
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
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