Jordan Spieth explains decision to withdraw from Rio Olympics
TROON, Scotland – Calling it the toughest decision he’s ever had to make in his young life, Jordan Spieth cited health concerns on Tuesday as the reason for pulling out of the Rio Summer Games.
“This was harder than trying to decide what university to go to. Whether to turn professional and leave school. This was something I very much struggled with,” Spieth said at Royal Troon, home to the 145th British Open that begins Thursday. “I bounced back and forth with it, and ultimately a decision had to be made yesterday, and so I made it.”
Spieth was playing Royal Troon on Monday when the International Golf Federation announced he was not playing. Upon his decision, the world No. 3 was the last of the Fab Four to pull out of the Olympics, joining No. 1 Jason Day, No. 2 Dustin Johnson and No. 4 Rory McIlroy.
Spieth, 22, made a point to say the Zika virus wasn’t the only health concern that moved him to opt out, instead emphasizing overall health concerns. He understands many people will be skeptical of his decision, especially because 18 players have decided not to go, which “hasn’t shed golf in the best light,” IGF president Peter Dawson said Monday.
Don't blame golfers for pulling out of Rio Olympics
And he will have trying times watching the Games in August.
“It will loom over me throughout the Olympic Games, for sure. I will be, I'm sure at times, pretty upset that I'm not down there,” said Spieth, who has represented the U.S. once in the Ryder Cup and twice in the Presidents Cup. “I thought about all this ahead of time. When I watch the opening ceremonies, that's going to be a big bummer. Then when I watch these guys competing on the golf course. I'll be texting with Rickie (Fowler), obviously, throughout.
“I thought about all of this ahead of time and still made the decision I did because it was the right move for me.”
Spieth, one of the favorites this week to win the Claret Jug, said he’ll make it a goal to be on the U.S. squad in the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo.
Jordan Spieth will not participate in Rio Olympics
“I'll make it a significant goal,” he said. “ I'm a huge believer in Olympic golf. I'm a huge believer in playing for your country. It's the most exciting sporting event for me to watch on TV and to have a chance to be a part of it is something I definitely look forward to trying to do. This year I just had to try and weigh a risk that doesn't present itself every year, and just at the time that I had to make the decision, I just felt this was the right move for me.
“Not everybody's going to understand. Nobody's going to understand what it's like in my shoes. Mine came down to just a very personal decision that, again, I don't expect everybody to understand, but trust that I believe I'm making the right decision for myself for my future and for those around me.”
His future will not include defending his title in the John Deere Classic, which will be played opposite of the men’s Olympic tournament Aug. 11-14.
“I don't think it would be an appropriate move to play that week. So I will not be playing that week,” he said. “I don't think it would be appropriate given our decision on the Olympics.”
NBC Sports officials say Rio is ready, downplay concerns
As for his chance this week, when victory would give him a third leg of the career Grand Slam, Spieth said he wished all his focus was on the British Open and not clouded by his Olympic decision. He’s been at Royal Troon since Saturday and said on the slower greens this side of the pond, he can be more aggressive with his putter.
“The Claret Jug is something I've held in my hands,” said Spieth, who was on the plane back home from St. Andrews last year with Zach Johnson, who won the Open. “I crave to have that trophy in my possession at some point.
“ So working hard for it. Seen a couple different wind conditions. The course is fantastic golf course for the Open. I love coming over and playing links golf as well. So all of that together, I think my game in general over the course of the next hopefully 20 to 30 years out here will show that this style of golf, I think plays to my strengths. Does that mean this week it may? I don't know. But I love this style of golf. I look forward to trying to get into contention this week and dealing with the tough conditions.”
He’s already dealt with one tough situation this week.