Matsuyama to miss Rio

Hideki Matsuyama has confirmed he will not take park in this summer’s Olympics due to concerns over the Zika virus.

Golf returns to the Games for the first time since 1904 but a number of players have already announced they will not compete in Rio de Janeiro due to fears surrounding the illness, which comes as a result of mosquito bites.

Jason Day and Rory McIlroy have already said they will not feature and Matsuyama has now added his name to that list.

Olympic officials and the World Health Organisation have provided guidance over the issue and insisted that the chance of catching Zika is low.

However, the 24-year-old says he has suffered strong reactions to insect bites in the past and believes it would be unwise for him to go for gold in Brazil.

“I cannot be 100% sure about my safety from the Zika virus,” he said. “Although I realise that my potential success would help grow the game in Japan, I have come to the conclusion that I cannot put myself or my team member’s health at risk.”

Tagged Eio 2016, Hideki Matsuyama