Rory McIlroy has withdrawn from representing Ireland in the Olympic golf tournament in Rio de Janiero over fears surrounding the zika virus.

Rory, who is engaged to Erica Stoll, said “my health and my family’s health comes before anything else. Even though the risk of contracting the zika virus is low it is a risk nonetheless and a risk I am unwilling to take”.

Later in the week Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland and Branden Grace of South Africa also withdrew.. The biggest blow to the International Olympic Committee and International Golf Federation was when World No 1 Jason Day pulled out on the grounds that he and his wife want to have more children and the rosk of contracting zika was too great. He was followed by Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama.

It’s not looking good. Full list of participants left to follow.