World No.1 golfer Jason Day is hopeful the sport's future at the Olympics can be salvaged despite becoming the latest high-profile withdrawal from the Rio Games.
Day has joined a growing list of leading players who have pulled the pin on the first Olympic golf competition in 112 years due to Zika virus fears.
Adam Scott and Graeme McDowell have declined for other reasons.
"I had to put family first and make sure that is a priority over anything else, more so than golf and the Olympics," Day said.
"I understand and sympathise with everyone that has made the decision to withdraw their names but I also understand what an honour it is to represent your country and try to win a gold medal as well."
Day implored Olympic officials, who will vote in 2017 on whether to keep the sport in the Games beyond 2020 in Tokyo, to understand the decisions were mainly health related.
"I think it is a one-off," he said.
"I just hope they look past this and go, `you know, we're looking at the bigger picture and trying to grow the game'."
Australia's Olympic chef de mission Kitty Chiller said she respected Day's decision.
"Obviously - would I have liked to have seen Jason Day in the team - absolutely," Chiller told reporters in Perth.
"But I absolutely 100 per cent respect and understand his decision, which is done for family reasons.
"Jason all along has been a huge supporter of golf in the Olympic Games.
"I know he really did want to compete but this was something he needed to take into consideration in his decision, and we respect that, as we have with the others who have withdrawn for similar reasons."
Australian golf team captain Baker-Finch was sad to lose Day but remained upbeat about the nation's chances of winning medals in Rio.
Scott Hend and Marcus Fraser are now in line for the men's berths with Minjee Lee and Su Oh the top two women, although veteran Karrie Webb is fighting to earn her way back in.
"As the team leader I've done everything I can to instil the Olympic passion into all of our potential Olympians over the last year or so but I totally understand the decisions our guys have made," Baker-Finch said.
"It's a shame Jason, Adam and Marc (Leishman) won't be available but I have their back.
"At their age, Zika is certainly a concern for them, their wives and their families."
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