Oosthuizen and Garcia opt out of Games

SPAIN’S Sergio Garcia, South African Louis Oosthuizen and Englishman Tyrrell Hatton have announced their intentions not to represent their respective countries at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.

The Olympics golf tournament will be held from 29 July-1 August at Kasumigaseki Country Club in Kawagoe.

“I have made one of the most difficult decisions of my life,” Garcia wrote on Twitter.

“I love the Olympic Games and it is always an honour to represent Spain. However my number 1 sporting priority is in the Ryder Cup at this moment. Everyone knows what the Ryder Cup means to me. My number one objective it to qualify for the European team by my own merit and not have to wait for a possible invitation. To represent Spain in the Olympic Games is a gift and enormous responsibility, and it requires 100% mental focus.”

Garcia, who is 48th in the world rankings, will be replaced by Rafa Cabrera Bello at the Games. Garcia previously competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Oosthuizen, who is ranked 12th, cited his desire to finish a strong FedExCup season as well as family commitments for his reasons to opt out of the Olympics.

“Qualifying for the Olympics is a humbling accomplishment, and there’s no greater honuor than representing your country, so it has been a very difficult decision for me, my team and my family to withdraw from playing in Tokyo,” Oosthuizen wrote.

“I am focused on finishing a strong FedExCup season in the (United) States, in addition to honouring family commitments with the new life we are building at the farm. Family has always been my core, and this is the best decision for us at this time in our lives. My best are with the South Africans competing. We will be cheering you on.”

With Oosthuizen out, Christiaan Bezuidenhout will join countryman Garrick Higgo in representing SA at the Olympics.

Hatton, ranked 11th, cited Covid19 concerns and a hectic schedule for his reasoning against competing at the Games.

Paul Casey and Tommy

Fleetwood will be representing England.

American Dustin Johnson, England’s Matt Fitzpatrick and Lee Westwood, and Australian Adam Scott previously announced that they would not be competing in Tokyo.

Spaniard Jon Rahm’s thrilling victory at last weekend’s US Open vaulted him past American Justin Thomas into top spot in the final Olympics rankings released on Tuesday.

Americans rounded out the top five with Thomas, Collin Morikawa, Xander Schauffele and Bryson DeChambeau expected to represent Team USA in Tokyo.