OPEN Championship runner-up Marc Leishman has become the fifth golfer to snub the Olympics… as he fears catching the head-shrinking Zika virus.
The Aussie star, 32, joins compatriot Adam Scott in deciding not to take part.
Zika has been declared a global public health emergency as it spreads through South America.
The mosquito-born virus, with most cases in Brazil, is being linked with thousands of babies being born with underdeveloped brains.
Leishman, who lost in a play-off to American Zach Johnson at St Andrews last year, feared the virus could affect his wife.
The world No 35 “almost lost” missus Audrey to toxis shock syndrome last year and said she was still recovering.
And his decision to pull out came because he was worried the virus could transmit to his wife, who has a poor immune systems.
He said: “Many of you may know that last April my children and I almost lost my wife.
“Since then Audrey has been prone to infection and is far removed from 100 per cent recovery of her immune system.
“It was a difficult yet easy decision not to participate. I cannot risk placing her health in jeopardy.
“The Masters and the Olympics are the two biggest tournaments to which a golfer can be invited; however, my family will always come before golf.”
World No 1 Jason Day is now likely to be joined by 63rd-ranked Marcus Fraser.
Fraser joins Scott, South African Major winners Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen and Fiji’s Vijay Singh in making themselves unavailable to play.
Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy fears he may get just two chances to win an Olympic medal.
Golf returns to the Games this summer for the first time since 1904.
And the Northern Irishman, who today begins the defence of his Wells Fargo title on the PGA Tour, says players’ reactions to the sport’s comeback mean chances may be limited in future.
He said: “Because of how it’s being approached in golf circles, it’s being played in Rio and Tokyo in 2020. I’m not sure if we’ll get another chance after that.
“Also, Paul McGinley is the Irish captain and he is so into it.
“I’d feel like I am not only letting him down, I’d let the country down if I didn’t play.”
McIlroy will however miss the European Tour’s flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, due to scheduling.
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