SPORTS

Schwartzel says Zika kept him out of Olympics; Day wary

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Charl Schwartzel, of South Africa, tees off on the 17th hole during the second round of the Memorial golf tournament, Friday, June 3, 2016, in Dublin, Ohio. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) (The Associated Press)

Jason Day, of Australia, tees off on the 14th hole during the second round of the Memorial golf tournament, Friday, June 3, 2016, in Dublin, Ohio. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) (The Associated Press)

Jason Day, of Australia, hits on the 14th hole during the second round of the Memorial golf tournament, Friday, June 3, 2016, in Dublin, Ohio. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) (The Associated Press)

Charl Schwartzel of South Africa says he is not going to the Olympics specifically because of the threat of the Zika virus.

The former Masters champion told golf officials in late April that he would not be going. Schwartzel revealed on Friday that he loves the Olympics and would play if it were held anywhere but Rio because of the virus.

He says he wants more children and going to Rio was not worth the risk.

Jason Day says he is wary about the mosquito-borne virus linked to severe birth defects and possible neurological problems in adults. The world's No. 1 player says he is trying to find out as much as he can about Zika. Day says his wife wants more children, so he has to make a smart decision.