Graeme McDowell, of Northern Ireland, hits his tee shot on the fourth hole during the final round of the U.S. Open golf championship at Oakmont Country Club on Sunday, June 19, 2016, in Oakmont, Pa. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) (The Associated Press)
DUBLIN – Graeme McDowell has become the latest high-profile golfer to rule out going to the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
In a statement posted on his Twitter feed, McDowell said he was not available to replace Rory McIlroy in the Ireland team. McIlroy opted out of the Olympics because of concerns about the Zika virus.
But McDowell said he decided "many months ago" that he would not play or travel outside of the United States while wife Kristin was expecting their second child.
McDowell added, "Unfortunately I will therefore not be available to replace Rory on the team. I have informed Paul McGinley and the Olympic Council of Ireland of my decision."
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