Vijay Singh pulls out of Olympic golf tourney, citing Zika threat

Vijay Singh is taking a pass on the Olympics.

The Fijian told Golf Channel on Tuesday that he’s planning to skip the men’s Olympic golf tournament out of concerns over the Zika virus in Brazil and throughout Latin America.

“I would like to play the Olympics,” said Singh, “but the Zika virus, you know and all that crap.”

Singh also didn’t find the timing — with the men’s tournament played Aug. 11-14 — to work well with his schedule, which focuses on the PGA Tour but includes occasional PGA Tour Champions starts.

“I feel bad, I wanted to play and finally decided against it,” he said. “It’s in the middle of the Tour over here and I’m trying to figure out my game.”

The three-time major winner is not the only potential Olympic golfer who has bowed out of consideration for competing in one of the two 60-player tournaments, first for the men, then followed by the women the next week. Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez also said he will not compete in the Olympic tournament.

Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.

Follow @RyanBallengee

LISTEN TO OUR WEEKLY GOLF PODCAST! This week: Reacting to Jordan Spieth’s Masters letdown

Devil Ball Golf – Golf – Yahoo Sports