adminINVERNESS. — Colin Montgomerie said golf had “not shown up” at the Olympics now that several of the world’s top male players have decided against taking part in the sport’s return to the Games in Brazil next month.
Scottish golf star Montgomerie, one of Europe’s most consistent Ryder Cup players, was among the delegation that lobbied the International Olympic Committee in Lausanne seven years ago for the sport to go back on the Games schedule.
But 13 of the world’s leading men golfers, headed by four-time Major-winner Rory McIlroy, have thrown golf’s future as an Olympic sport beyond the 2020 Games into doubt by withdrawing from August’s competition in Rio.
Golf is back at the Olympics for the first time in 104 years but the likes of McIlroy, world number one Jason Day and US Open runner-up Shane Lowry have all opted out, citing health concerns caused by the presence in Brazil of the Zika virus.
However, Montgomerie, speaking in Inverness, northern Scotland, ahead of the start of the Scottish Open, said on Wednesday: “It is just a shame.
“To think a few of us went to Lausanne — Annika Sorenstam and I went there with Peter Dawson, the ex-chief executive of the R&A (Royal and Ancient, which oversees golf’s rulebook), and we presented in front of the IOC committee on golf becoming part of the Olympic Games.
“We were successful in that bid. And it is a shame that a number of top players have decided not to go,” the 53-year-old added.
“If there was as many ladies not going, you might have thought that was okay.
“So for me, it’s disappointing. It is the first time we’re back in the Olympics since 1904 and we don’t show up.”
But Montgomerie stopped short of saying the players’ Zika fears were unjustified.
“It’s not for me to say about the health situations,” he said.
“I thought it was a disease that affected women more than it did men. Sorry, but never mind. — AFP.
Online Reporter