SOUTH AFRICA (AP) – Lalarga ang golf competition sa Rio Olympics na wala ang apat na major champion.
Ipinahayag ni Charl Schwartzel ng South Africa na hindi siya makakasama sa pagpalo ng kasaysayan sa golf sa quadrennial meet sa Agosto 5-21.
Sinabi ni Ty Votaw, PGA Tour’s chief spokesman at vice president ng International Golf Federation, nitong Lunes (Martes sa Manila) na sinabihan sila ni Schwartzel, dating Masters champion, na hindi ito lalaro sa Rio.
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Si Schwartzel ang nakalinya na kumatawan sa South Africa matapos umatras ni dating British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen bunsod umano ng isyu sa pamilya.
Nauna rito, nagpahayag ng kawalan ng interest na lumaban si dating Masters champion Adam Scott ng Australia. Bilang world No.7, siya ang pinaka high-profile player na hindi lalaro sa Rio.
Hindi rin makalalaro ang 53-anyos at three-time major champion na si Vijay Singh ng Fiji.
Ikinalungkot ni golf legend Gary Player ang pag-atras ng mga premyadong player sa Olympics.
“I’m sad and disappointed,” ayon sa South African golf icon at Olympic golf captain.
“South Africa had a great team, but now obviously, it will not be as good,” pahayag ni Player.
“Players withdrawing hurt the game of golf. I was sorry to hear that Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel have withdrawn their names from consideration. They have been playing outstanding golf lately. This certainly impacts South Africa’s chances to win a gold medal.
“No doubt they would have made our team even stronger,” aniya.
Huling nilaro ang golf sa Olympics noong 1904.
