Lowry reveals Rio concerns

Shane Lowry has become the latest golf to admit he could pull out of this summer’s Olympic Games due to fears over the Zika virus.

Several of golf’s biggest names have already expressed their concern over playing in Rio de Janeiro this summer due to the threat of Zika, which is linked to brain deformities in newborn babies.

Rory McIlroy and Masters champion Danny Willett have both admitted this week that they could skip the Olympics because of the threat of the virus, which has prompted Australian Marc Leishman and Fiji’s Vijay Singh to pull out.

With Adam Scott, Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel also withdrawing from the Olympic golf tournament due to scheduling issue, the return of the sport to the Games could be lacking in big names.

Lowry has now admitted he might have to sit out the event if he does not receive reassurances over his safety in Rio, despite claiming to be desperate to compete for a gold medal.

“Obviously I really want to go but there is a decision to be made,” Lowry told the Irish Times.

“I am recently a married man and I have to learn a lot more about the virus. I have to speak to the medical people from the European Tour and the doctors back home.

“How big a percentage is the risk? That’s the really big one. I’m going to listen to the medical advice that comes my way and I’ll be honest, I’m not going to take any chances.”