Rory McIlroy withdraws from the Olympics

[Aflighter]

I very seriously doubt speith will back out.He doesnt have that kinda attitude.He will be proud to represent usa.Too many prima donnas in golf.Its like Nicklaus said.They should reconsider.

[Buckeyebowman]

11 hours ago, Jeremie Boop said:

 When they started allowing professionals into the Olympic games I was extremely disappointed, I always felt it was more interesting to watch amateurs compete.

Oh, they've allowed "professionals" into the Olympics for quite some time, it was just better covered up. How do you think Jean Claude Killy made his living? Selling insurance on the side?

It was only after the public started seeing through poor, old, addled Avery Brundage's inane prattling about the "purity" of Olympic competition that they decided to retire him and open things up. They wanted the best athletes, and if that meant pro so be it. If anything, it made the whole deal more honest if you ask me.

11 hours ago, newtogolf said:

 

The ladies seem more excited to showcase their skills at the Olympics but that is because they don't get the same exposure as the men who are on major networks every weekend.  Maybe the solution is to revert Olympic golf back to an amateur only competition for the men and let the pro's stay focused on their respective professional Tours.

The LPGA needs as much help as it can get despite the fact that many of the ladies are playing some wonderful golf!

You may be onto something. Perhaps the IOC could partner up with the USGA, R&A, and other governing bodies to help assemble fields and structure the competition. I was also hoping for more team competitions. Someone earlier mentioned an idea I really like, 2 person man/woman teams in a foursomes competition.

Hopefully, some solution can be found because I believe that golf belongs in the Olympics. It is a world wide game!

[iacas]

16 hours ago, Mr Mulyak said:

That our favorite golfing stars are now hesitant to appear is disappointing, it opens up the questions of whether  peeing in a cup.

Is a possible motive for some, It could be more of a concern that the Zika virus

I don't think so. The PGA Tour drug tests, etc.

[jamo]

On June 22, 2016 at 7:35 PM, newtogolf said:

I would have much preferred to see the Olympics do something out of the box like coed teams or even some form of team Stableford.  Playing as individuals in standard stroke play is no different than the golf we see almost every week.  

Unless a pro is a big fan of the Olympics and wants a gold medal it's not worth battling the crime, worrying about Zika and playing on a new course that no one is certain of the condition.   

Now that would have been cool!

[newtogolf]

1 hour ago, jamo said:

Now that would have been cool!

I would have enjoyed it more.