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The recent withdrawals of top golfers from the Games in Rio will lead to the end of Olympic golf said IOC member Barry Maister to Newstalk ZB New Zealand today.

“I think its appalling” he said. “I don’t think the sport should be allowed to continue in the games in this scenario. Once they’ve got in they have got to deliver. Second or third rate players is so far from the Olympic ideal or thr expectations of the Olympic movement. The Olympics is about the best, and they pledged the best. Quite frankly any sport that cannot deliver its best athletes in my view should not be there”.

Also today Adidas sought assurances from World No 1 Jason Day and US Open Champion Dustin Johnson, whom they sponsor, that they will compete in Rio.

Rory McIlroy has withdrawn from representing Ireland in the Olympic golf tournament in Rio de Janiero over fears surrounding the zika virus.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

Tommy’s Honour the new film about Young Tom Morris directed by Jason Connery has had its premiere last night at the Edinburgh Film Festival. In this clip the both actors playing Young and Old Tom Morris admit they cannot play golf. Jack Lowden, the lead, says “typical actor, I lied and said I could to get the job”. They should have been sent on a compulsory getintogolf course. So who did hit the shots? Good job for a stunt double.

His adreneline must be pumping. As he lies second going into the final round of tonight’s St Jude Classic in Memphis, Phil Mickelson looks to be writing another chapter in his dramatic life. I am expecting him to finally win the US Open at Oakmont next week at the age of 45, so that he can heroically complete the film script of his life. But what has prompted this adreneline rush, which leads to his dramatic victories on the golf course, is the danger of his gambling – and getting away with it.

This week, for the second time in less than a month, criminal court proceedings against one of Mickelson’s gambling associates have taken place. Gregory Silviera was sent to prison for a year for money laundering after transferring $2.75 million between bank accounts in 2010 for a client, identified by a long standing friend of Silviera’s, as Mickelson. Mickelson, as in the Billy Walters case, has not been accused of any wrongdoing, but his ties to the two men clearly break the PGA Tour Player Code of Conduct which tells players not associate with gamblers who might reflect adversely on the game. In Silviera’s case the transfer of $2.75 million from his gambling client was, according to court documents, to cover ‘losing wagers on high level sports betting’. Apparently Silviera did this as a personal favour to an individual who did not wish his wagering to become public knowledge so he handled the payment of funds.

Mickelson’s gambling is now public knowledge. According to the Wall Street Journal from 2000-2003 he lost up to $2.5 million in Las Vegas Casinos.

The backdrop to this is that the PGA Tour have recently been seeking proposals from data companies to submit bids to package real time tournament data into real time betting feeds for gambling houses. This has the problem that players could be influenced to miss putts or pull drives, it looks to put the players into a vulnerable situation.

As for Mickelson, his hard core fans will just ignore the latest saga and continue to worship the ground he walks on. The wider golfing audience may be less forgiving and it remains to be seen whether his financial partners will stick with him, as it may affect their image. As for Phil, he studied psychology in college, and he will know why he does it. These dramas, and there have been plenty of them over the years, do seem to kick start his performance on the golf course.

Looking forward to him lifting the US Open trophy next week, he’s given himself the thrill to get himself over the line.

Celebrations will be going on, as only the Irish can, at Dun Laoghaire Golf Club tonight as the girls from Great Britain and Ireland won back the Curtis Cup from a stong United States team.

It’s only the second time in the last ten encounters that the home team have won. They took an 8-4 lead going into the singles and collected the 2.5 points needed to win 11.5 to 8.5 points. Irish World No 2 Leona McGuire won 3 and 2 over Sierra Brooks and Olivia Mehaffey also won. Congratulations to the team on their outstanding achievement.

Thursday (June 16), hole #1 / Friday (June 17), hole #10

6:45 a.m. / 12:30 p.m. – Denny McCarthy, Jupiter, Fla.; Aron Price, Australia; Mikael Lundberg, Sweden

6:56 a.m. / 12:41 p.m. – (a) Nick Hardy, Northbrook, Ill.; TBD; Tom Hoge, Fargo, N.D.

7:07 a.m. / 12:52 p.m. – Patrick Rodgers, Singer Island, Fla.; (a) Sam Horsfield, England; Andrew Johnston, England

7:18 a.m. / 1:03 p.m. – Justin Hicks, Wellington, Fla.; Soren Hansen, Denmark; Jason Allred, Scottsdale, Ariz.

7:29 a.m. / 1:14 p.m. – Romain Wattel, France; Sung Kang, Republic of Korea; Yusaku Miyazato, Japan

7:40 a.m. / 1:25 p.m. – Bernd Wiesberger, Austria; Matteo Manassero, Italy; Daniel Berger, Jupiter, Fla.

7:51 a.m. / 1:36 p.m. – Matt Kuchar, Sea Island, Ga.; Bubba Watson, Bagdad, Fla.; Patrick Reed, Houston, Texas

8:02 a.m. / 1:47 p.m. – Rafa Cabrera Bello, Spain; J.B. Holmes, Campbellsville, Ky.; Kevin Chappell, Fresno, Calif.

8:13 a.m. / 1:58 p.m. – Matthew Fitzpatrick, England; Danny Lee, New Zealand; Byeong Hun An, Republic of Korea

8:24 a.m. / 2:09 p.m. – Rory McIlroy, Northern Ireland; Danny Willett, England; Rickie Fowler, Murrieta, Calif.

8:35 a.m. / 2:20 p.m. – Chris Kirk, Athens, Ga.; Emiliano Grillo, Argentina; Shane Lowry, Republic of Ireland

8:46 a.m. / 2:31 p.m. – Mike Miller, Brewster, N.Y.; Matthew Borchert, Windermere, Fla.; (a) Charlie Danielson, Osceola, Wis.

8:57 a.m. / 2:42 p.m. – Chase Parker, Augusta, Ga.; (a) Ryan Stachler, Alpharetta, Ga.; Patrick Wilkes-Krier, Ypsilanti, Mich.

Thursday (June 16), hole #10 / Friday (June 17), hole #1

6:45 a.m. / 12:30 p.m. – Andres Gonzales, Lakewood, Wash.; (a) Scottie Scheffler, Dallas, Texas; Derek Fathauer, Jupiter, Fla.

6:56 a.m. / 12:41 p.m. – Andrew Landry, Austin, Texas; Matthew Baldwin, England; D.J. Trahan, Plano, Texas

7:07 a.m. / 12:52 p.m. – Rob Oppenheim, Andover, Mass.; Dicky Pride, Tuscaloosa, Ala.; Wes Short Jr., Austin, Texas

7:18 a.m. / 1:03 p.m. – Patton Kizzire, Sea Island, Ga.; Yuta Ikeda, Japan; David Lingmerth, Sweden

7:29 a.m. / 1:14 p.m. – Hideto Tanihara, Japan; Gregory Bourdy, France; Kevin Streelman, Scottsdale, Ariz.

7:40 a.m. / 1:25 p.m. – (a) Jon Rahm, Spain; James Hahn, Scottsdale, Ariz.; Robert Streb, Shawnee, Kan.

7:51 a.m. / 1:36 p.m. – Thomas Aiken, South Africa; Jeff Maggert, Sea Pines, S.C.; David Toms, Shreveport, La.

8:02 a.m. / 1:47 p.m. – Marc Leishman, Australia; Jimmy Walker, Boerne, Texas; Paul Casey, England

8:13 a.m. / 1:58 p.m. – Lee Westwood, England; Luke Donald, England; Martin Kaymer, Germany

8:24 a.m. / 2:09 p.m. – Russell Knox, Scotland; Harris English, Sea Island, Ga.; Jason Dufner, Auburn, Ala.

8:35 a.m. / 2:20 p.m. – Zach Johnson, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Bryson DeChambeau, Clovis, Calif.; Jordan Spieth, Dallas, Texas

8:46 a.m. / 2:31 p.m. – TBD; Gregor Main, Danville, Calif.; Mark Anguiano, Whittier, Calif.

8:57 a.m. / 2:42 p.m. – (a) Kyle Mueller, Athens, Ga.; Derek Chang, Dallas, Texas; Richie Schembechler, Massillon, Ohio

Thursday (June 16), hole #1 / Friday (June 17), hole #10

12:30 p.m. / 6:45 a.m. – Peter Hanson, Sweden; Tim Wilkinson, New Zealand; Thitiphun Chuayprakong, Thailand

12:41 p.m. / 6:56 a.m. – Billy Hurley III, Annapolis, Md.; Jeev Milkha Singh, India; J.J. Henry, Ft. Worth, Texas

12:52 p.m. / 7:07 a.m. – Brendan Steele, Idyllwild, Calif.; Soren Kjeldsen, Denmark; Jaco Van Zyl, South Africa

1:03 p.m. / 7:18 a.m. – Anirban Lahiri, India; Scott Piercy, Las Vegas, Nev.; Jamie Donaldson, Wales

1:14 p.m. / 7:29 a.m. – Spencer Levin, Sacramento, Calif.; Toru Taniguchi, Japan; Carlos Ortiz, Mexico

1:25 p.m. / 7:40 a.m. – Ryan Moore, Las Vegas, Nev.; Andrew Sullivan, England; Charley Hoffman, San Diego, Calif.

1:36 p.m. / 7:51 a.m. – Hideki Matsuyama, Japan; Sergio Garcia, Spain; Dustin Johnson, Myrtle Beach, S.C.

1:47 p.m. / 8:02 a.m. – Webb Simpson, Charlotte, N.C.; Graeme McDowell, Northern Ireland; Geoff Ogilvy, Australia

1:58 p.m. / 8:13 a.m. – Ernie Els, South Africa; Jim Furyk, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.; Angel Cabrera, Argentina

2:09 p.m. / 8:24 a.m. – Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Thailand; K.T. Kim, Republic of Korea; Kevin Na, Las Vegas, Nev.

2:20 p.m. / 8:35 a.m. – Jason Day, Australia; Louis Oosthuizen, South Africa; Adam Scott, Australia

2:31 p.m. / 8:46 a.m. – Aaron Wise, Lake Elsinore, Calif.; Ethan Tracy, Galloway, Ohio; Brandon Harkins, Scottsdale, Ariz.

2:42 p.m. / 8:57 a.m. – (a) Justin Suh, San Jose, Calif.; T.J. Howe, Osceola, Pa.; Frank Adams III, Salisbury, N.C.

Thursday (June 16), hole #10 / Friday (June 17), hole #1

12:30 p.m. / 6:45 a.m. – Lee Slattery, England; Miguel Tabuena, Philippines; TBD

12:41 p.m. / 6:56 a.m. – Sebastian Soderberg, Sweden; TBD; Kent Bulle, Glasgow, Ky.

12:52 p.m. / 7:07 a.m. – TBD; Alex Noren, Sweden; Jason Kokrak, Charlotte, N.C.

1:03 p.m. / 7:18 a.m. – Max Kieffer, Germany; Gary Stal, France; Kevin Tway, Edmond, Okla.

1:14 p.m. / 7:29 a.m. – Cameron Smith, Australia; Steven Bowditch, Australia; (a) Derek Bard, New Hartford, N.Y.

1:25 p.m. / 7:40 a.m. – Jim Herman, Palm City, Fla.; Smylie Kaufman, Birmingha.m., Ala.; TBD

1:36 p.m. / 7:51 a.m. – Brandt Snedeker, St. Simons Island, Ga.; Bill Haas, Greenville, S.C.; Billy Horschel, St. Augustine, Fla.

1:47 p.m. / 8:02 a.m. – Brooks Koepka, West Palm Beach, Fla.; Chris Wood, England; Justin Thomas, Goshen, Ky.

1:58 p.m. / 8:13 a.m. – Kevin Kisner, Aiken, S.C.; Charl Schwartzel, South Africa; Branden Grace, South Africa

2:09 p.m. / 8:24 a.m. – Phil Mickelson, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.; Justin Rose, England; Henrik Stenson, Sweden

2:20 p.m. / 8:35 a.m. – Retief Goosen, South Africa; Keegan Bradley, Woodstock, Vt.; Lucas Glover, Tequesta, Fla.

2:31 p.m. / 8:46 a.m. – Andy Pope, Orlando, Fla.; (a) Sam Burns, Shreveport, La.; Matt Marshall, Carlton, Ore.

2:42 p.m. / 8:57 a.m. – Tyler Raber, Davis, Calif.; (a) Christopher Crawford, Bensalem, Pa.; Austin Jordan, Rainbow, Texas

Phil Mckelson commented on the Dean Foods Insider trading case, of which he was named as a relief defendent, last week at the Memorial.

He said “I’m disappointed to have been part of that whole thing but after a thorough investigation I’m glad it’s behind me. I have to be responsible for the people I associate with. I’ll make sure that I represent myself ad well ad my family and my companies in the way that I want to and they deserve”.

We’ve heard this all before.

Apparenly Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem and Phil Mickelson have not spoken about the situation, even though he clearly broke the players code of conduct.Looks as though Mickelson will not be sanctioned with a suspension so he can have yet another attempt at winning the last elusive major the US Open at Oakmont next week.

What a dramatic story it would make if he won, against this background. He would probably make a movie about himself.

Royal Troon will be bringing forward its decision whether to admit women members to before its hosting of the Open Championship in July. There will be a General Meeting on July 1 where the club’s constitution will be adjusted. to allow for mixed membership. It was originally not planning to announce its decision until the end of the year but the controversy over Muirfield’s vote and its subsequent loss of its place on the Open rota had prompted this change of position. With 38 members aged 30 or younger, a different perspective may be forthcoming. Former captain of Royal Troon Ken Arthur has said that there “is a moral imperative ” to admit wimen members.

Jason Day said at the Memorial Tournament last week that he’s still undecided about representing Australia at the Olympic Games.

“I dont think its a Rio issue. its a medical issue that’s attached to the Games. What happens id I go there and get it and bring it back because they dont know enough. I’m a little wary of it” said Day who plans to have more children in the future.

Rickie Fowler also said he was concerned. “Yeah I want to make sure we look through everything and make sure were prepared Its something I would definitely like to do, but if it’s too risky to go doen we will pull out”.

This brilliant photograph shows the triumphant Great Britain and Ireland Curtis Cup team the last time the matches were played on home soil at Nairn. Wishing the 2016 team play well and win the cup back at Dun Laoghaire, south of Dunlin Friday to Sunday this week. athe for at is 3 Foursomes, 3 Fourballs for the first two days and the 8 singles on Sunday.