Rory McIlroy withdraws from Rio Olympics over Zika fears

Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy has confirmed that he will not be participating in the upcoming Rio Olympics due to widespread concerns related to the Zika fears.

The four-time major champion stated that he reached this conclusion after 'much thought and deliberation', while adding that 'my health and my family's health comes before anything else', the Guardian reported.

The 27-year-old also expressed hope that the Irish people would understand his decision, insisting that he would 'continue to endeavour to make my fans and fans of golf proud'.

Brazil has been most affected by the mosquito-borne virus that has spread rapidly through Latin America and the Caribbean. It is known to cause the head-shrinking microcephaly and other birth defects.

With this decision, McIlroy joined a host of golfers to withdraw from this year's Olympics, which includes Adam Scott, Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel, Marc Leishman and Vijay Singh.