Jason Day uncertain about Rio Olympics over Zika concerns

NEW YORK, USA – World number one Jason Day said Thursday, June 23 he remains undecided about whether or not he will compete at the Rio Olympics because of worries about the mosquito-transmitted Zika virus.

Speaking at a promotional event ahead of defending his first major title at next month’s PGA Championship at Baltusrol, the 28-year-old Filipino-Australian said he will talk with his family and agent Bud Martin about the risks before taking a final decision.

“I’ll talk to Bud and family members because family for me is priority number one, so I want to make sure that they are happy and then from there I’ll make a decision,” Day said.

Golf makes its return to the Olympics after a 112-year absence, but fourth-ranked Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland pulled out Wednesday over Zika worries and Aussie Adam Scott, ranked eighth, withdrew over schedule issues.

In addition to severe illness, Zika has been linked to birth defects and that has made many athletes leery of traveling to Brazil.

“It’s a tough one, going from trying to represent your country and trying to win a gold medal but also understanding it’s a life decision you have to make,” Day said.

Graham McDowell, whose wife is due to give birth in September, said he will not go to Brazil in place of McIlroy on the Irish squad, likely meaning Padraig Harrington will join Shane Lowry in Rio.

It’s a hectic timetable for golfers with Olympic spots to be settled based on the July 11 rankings, the British Open to follow that week and the year’s final major coming only two weeks later so it can be finished more than a full week before the Olympic golf tournament August 11-14.

Day, who won his PGA crown last year at Whistling Straits, says he is not ready to challenge Tiger Woods’ record run atop the rankings.

“He had 683 weeks at number one. It’s staggering,” Day said of Woods. “It’s an absolute joke. I’ve got a lot of work to do.”

Day, who has five consecutive top-10 major finishes, has not played the Baltusrol layout, which last hosted a major 11 years ago when Phil Mickelson won the PGA Champiosnhip.

After pushing physical limits and fighting vertigo at last year’s US Open, Day is working on fitness and injury prevention.

“I’m just trying to extend the longevity of my career,” Day said. “The biggest thing is, if you want it still, you’ll do everything you need to do to make sure you extend your career.”

Day’s 10 career titles include this year’s Players Championship, World Golf Championships Match Play and Arnold Palmer Invitational and he hopes to add more to that total.

But at age 40, Day says he will reassess where he and his career are at.

“When I get to 40, I’m going to re-evaluate everything and then go from there,” Day said. “I might want to go, ‘You know what, I’m done. I’m just happy with everything,’ and I’m going to go off my merry way and I’ll probably never pick up a golf club ever again.

“But it also depends on if (my son) Dash is playing, if (my daughter) Lucy is playing, if I’m still competitive and my body’s great.” – Rappler.com