Open overshadowed by Spieth's withdrawal from Olympics

Posted July 12, 2016 7:00 am

The Associated Press

Britain's Justin Rose gestures as he speaks at a press conference ahead of the British Open Golf Championship at the Royal Troon Golf Club in Troon, Scotland, Tuesday July 12, 2016. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) The Associated Press

TROON, Scotland (AP) - The British Open has been overshadowed by the news of another big-name withdrawal from the Olympics.

Two-time major champion Jordan Spieth dropped out on Monday, just before the deadline to set the 60-man field. Like others before him, he had cited concerns over the Zika virus.

Spieth is expected to go into more detail during a media availability Tuesday.

His decision means the top four in the world rankings are skipping the Rio de Janeiro Games. Jason Day, Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy had already announced they won't take part in golf's return to the Olympics for the first time since 1904.

Masters champion Danny Willett will be going for the gold. He says the mosquito-borne virus appears to be less of a threat during the South American winter.

Dustin Johnson of the U.S during a practice round at the British Open Golf Championship at the Royal Troon Golf Club in Troon, Scotland, Monday July 11, 2016. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP) The Associated Press

Scotland's Colin Montgomerie during a practice round at the British Open Golf Championship at the Royal Troon Golf Club in Troon, Scotland, Monday July 11, 2016. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP) The Associated Press

England's Luke Donald during a practice round at the British Open Golf Championship at the Royal Troon Golf Club in Troon, Scotland, Monday July 11, 2016. (Danny Lawson/PA via AP) The Associated Press

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