Ladies European Tour CEO Ivan Khodabakhsh "has hit out at the world's leading men golfers for taking a 'myopic approach' and withdrawing from the Rio Olympics, adding that they have let down the rest of the sport," according to Nivedita Shankar of REUTERS.
The world's top four players -- Jason Day, Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy -- "have pulled out of the Games citing health concerns from the mosquito-born Zika virus." Khodabakhsh: "The top male golfers have let down the rest of the sport very badly. The opportunity to do something for the broader good of the game is in their hands and they seem to be taking a very myopic approach." While the men's event "has been hit by a host of pull-outs, New Zealand's Lydia Ko will lead an almost full-strength lineup" as golf makes its return to the Olympics for the first time since 1904. Khodabakhsh:
"British golf is represented by great champions Charley Hull and Catriona Matthew but across the world, 60 women golfers from 34 countries will tee off in Rio" (REUTERS, 7/13).
GOLF FRUSTRATION: REUTERS' Ian Rodricks wrote Professional Squash Association CEO Alex Gough said that the growing number of leading golfers withdrawing from the Rio Olympics "has disappointed the sport of squash." Squash "was among the sports short-listed for possible inclusion at the 2020 Olympics but failed to make the final list of five, with golf selected to feature at the Games in Tokyo." Gough: "It has been intensely frustrating. Quite honestly, it was almost predictable. Very early on Adam Scott said Olympic golf was, in his words, going to be an exhibition event. That basically showed everyone else that it was not held in as high esteem by the top players as it should be" (REUTERS, 7/13).
