Japan's Hideki Matsuyama has become the latest golfer to opt out of the Rio Games due to fears over the Zika virus in another setback to the sport as it makes its return to the Olympics for the first time since 1904.
World No.1 Jason Day of Australia pulled out last Tuesday, a week after world No.4 Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland announced he would not compete at the Olympics.
Twice major winner Jordan Spieth is still undecided about whether to participate amid ongoing concerns about Zika, a mosquito-borne virus that the World Health Organisation says is spreading rapidly in the Americas.
"Although I am excited that golf is returning to the Olympics and I realise that my potential success would help grow the game in Japan, I have come to the conclusion that I cannot put myself or my team members' health at risk," the 24-year-old Matsuyama said.
"Additionally, my body has a tendency to react strongly to insect bites. Therefore, after careful thought, I made a heart-wrenching decision not to participate in the Olympics this year."
