The Genesis Invitational

Torrey Pines Golf Course (South Course)



    News

    Adam Scott will not compete in the Olympics

    April 20, 2016
    160419-adam-scott-olympics.png

    Golf will be added to the Olympics this year for the first time since 1904. But unfortunately, the Summer Games will be minus two green jacket winners. And counting.

    On Tuesday night, Adam Scott announced he has withdrawn his name from consideration to play in Rio. At No. 7 in the Official World Golf Ranking, Scott was essentially a lock -- along with top-ranked Jason Day -- to represent Australia. Here's what Scott said in a statement released by his management company:

    "My decision has been taken as a result of an extremely busy playing schedule around the time of the Olympics, and other commitments, both personal and professional. I have informed the Australian team captain and relevant authorities, who are understanding of my position, and I wish the Australian Olympic Team the very best of luck in Rio.''

    That team could wind up being Day and Marc Leishman, who is currently the next-highest ranked Aussie at No. 34. Qualifying for the Olympics concludes on July 11.

    The men's Olympic golf tournament will take place Aug. 11-14 in Rio. That date caused a shift in the typical PGA Tour schedule, in particular with the season's final major. The PGA Championship will be played the last week in July, with just one week separating the event from the British Open. And the season's last WGC event, the Bridgestone Invitational, has moved up to June 30-July 3 to add to a jam-packed period of golf leading up to the Olympics.

    Scott's announcement came a week after fellow Masters champ Vijay Singh said he won't represent Fiji this summer. Singh also cited a busy schedule as well as the Zika virus as his reasons for not going to Rio.

    Scott, 35, is in the midst of a fantastic season with wins at the WGC-Cadillac Championship and the Honda Classic. However, his announcement doesn't come as much of a surprise. The Aussie has been consistent in the past year when it comes to voicing his indifference toward the Olympics, saying it was "not a priority" in November. Now, we wait to see what other big names potentially follow his lead.