PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem does not believe the players who announced plans to skip the Olympics "will hurt golf's chances for staying on the program" beyond '20, according to Doug Ferguson of the AP. Adam Scott and Marc Leishman (Australia), Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen (South Africa) and Vijay Singh (Fiji) have mostly cited a "busy summer schedule of major events" for bowing out of the Rio Games. Leishman was "concerned about the Zika virus because his wife, who nearly died last year from toxic shock syndrome, has a susceptible immune system." Finchem, who is on the Int'l Golf Federation BOD, said that the Tour has "talked to all five players ... and said it was a combination of issues, starting with a tight golf season." He also said that some players "haven't made the Olympics a priority just yet." Finchem: "I do think we have had a combination of things that have created some issues this year. But we seem to be doing OK, and I think we're going to have a superb Olympics once we get down there." LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan, also on the IGF board, said that five or six players have "asked him about the Zika virus, though none has said she is not planning to play because of it" (AP, 5/10). LPGA player Caroline Masson (Germany) said that the various golf tours have "given players information" from the World Health Organization, IOC and medical experts, and she "feels comfortable." Masson: "We just trust in what the Tour gives us ... and take all the precautions we can. Everybody's really excited, and we feel safe" (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 5/11).
A LOOK INTO YOUR SOUL: SI GOLF PLUS' Alan Shipnuck writes the loss of players like Scott, Oosthuizen and Schwartzel is "survivable" for Olympic golf, but the "disconcerting fact is that their opting out makes it easier for others to follow suit." A PGA Tour agent said, "Some of our guys have been on the fence about going. If more good names pull out, it provides political cover for our players who don't want to go." Shipnuck notes Rio has "become an MRI of the souls of the top players: Are they passionate about supporting their sport? Do they see the big picture? Are they willing to make a small sacrifice for their country?" Players like Sergio Garcia (Spain) and Martin Kaymer (Germany) have taken to social media to "express their enthusiasm." Jason Day (Australia) has "repeatedly expressed his lust for gold," and Jordan Spieth (U.S.) "has likened the Games to a fifth major." LPGA players almost universally are "thrilled by the prospect of the Games." The "stickiest factor in the Rio debate is the Zika virus, which Singh explicitly cited as a reason for not playing." The IOC next year will vote on the program for the '24 Games, and it "won't help golf's chances if the players are viewed as whiny and entitled and unappreciative of the larger meaning of the Olympic spirit" (SI GOLF PLUS, 5/9 issue). An anonymous poll of PGA Tour players showed that 71% of those surveyed would "rather win" the PGA Championship that an Olympic Gold Medal. Sixty-two percent of the players asked would prefer to win The Players than the Olympic tournament. However, 76% of players would take a Gold Medal over a win at the Valero Texas Open (SI GOLF PLUS, 5/9 issue).
PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN: The U.S. likely will have four representatives in Rio, and Patrick Reed, who currently sits fifth in the qualification, said he wants to make the Olympic team because playing for Team USA "means a lot." Reed: "I'm sure all those guys who have pulled, they pulled out for a good reason." He added, "With how many events we have throughout the year, people have different schedules and a lot of people are just going to look at the events ... whether it fits their schedule" ("Shackhouse Podcast," THERINGER.com, 4/27).
DEFENDING THE FORMAT: Finchem yesterday again "defended the choice" of a 72-hole stroke-play format for the Olympic tourney. GOLFWEEK's Jeff Babineau noted a team format "might have sparked greater interest among players who have withdrawn." Finchem also said that the IOC "would not allow golf to compete in a mixed-team format with males and females composing teams." Babineau noted golf execs "wanted more than 60 male and 60 female competitors ... but agreed to that number under the condition that it can be revisited" after '20 (GOLFWEEK.com, 5/10).
NOT PLACING BLAME: CBS analyst Dottie Pepper does not blame players for skipping the Olympics. She said, "While it would be phenomenal to say 'I was a participant, I was a medalist, a Gold Medalist in the Olympics,' I understand. Adam was talking about seeing his family for six days in nine weeks or something like that. He's got a young family. And I don't think the virus threat has helped either." She also referenced the tight summer schedule for PGA Tour players as a valid reason. Pepper: "Every time that there is an Olympics -- this year, 2020 in Tokyo, and I am sure they hope beyond that -- it is going to be a challenge. I hope that the organizations are looking further out to better dates where you won't have a conflict so much with the PGA Championship being so close to the Open Championship" (Jordan Jackson, THE DAILY).
