Story highlights
- Jason Day withdraws from Olympics
- World No. 1 cites fear over Zika virus
- Several big golf names already out
- Rory McIlroy withdrew this month
(CNN)He's the best golfer on the planet -- but Jason Day won't be winning Olympic gold anytime soon.
The world. No. 1 withdrew from Rio 2016 Tuesday after citing fears over contracting the Zika virus.
His move comes after four-time major winner Rory McIlroy pulled out this month for similar reasons, while several other of the sport's big names have also said they won't travel to South America.
While the symptoms of the virus -- which include a rash, headaches and joint pain -- aren't severe, Zika has been linked to microcephaly in newborn babies and some cases of the muscle-weakening disease Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults.
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"The reason for my decision is my concerns about the possible transmission of the Zika virus and the potential risks that it might present to my wife's future pregnancies and to future members of our family," Day said in a statement published on his Twitter account.
"I have always placed my family in front of everything else in my life. Medical experts have confirmed that while perhaps slight, a decision to compete in Rio absolutely comes with health risks to me and my family. My wife Ellie and I have been blessed with two wonderful and healthy children and our plans is to have more.
"While it has always been a major goal to compete in the Olympics on behalf of my country, playing golf cannot take precedent over the safety of our family. I will not place them at risk."
The Australian, who won his first major at the 2015 PGA Championship, is the latest no-show for golf's long-awaited returned to the Olympics, having last featured in 1904.
Three-time major winner Vijay Singh and and Australia's Marc Leishman both cited Zika, as did former U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell -- whose wife is pregnant, and who declined the chance to replace McIlroy in Ireland's team.
Ireland has also lost Shane Lowry, ranked 25 in the world, after he confirmed he would not be traveling to Brazil on Tuesday.
Lowry, who tied for second at the U.S. Open, also cited fears over the Zika virus for his withdrawal.
Leading South African players Louis Oosthuizen -- the 2010 British Open winner -- world No. 12 Branden Grace and 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel have also decided not to compete.
With former Masters winner Adam Scott also out, Australia would not have an eligible player inside the top 75 if the team was selected on this week's rankings.
Photos: Zika worries: Who's skipping the Olympics?
Milos Raonic is the first leading tennis player to pull out of the Rio 2016 Olympics because of "uncertainty" over the Zika virus. The world No. 7 withdrew from Canada's team on July 15.
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Photos: Zika worries: Who's skipping the Olympics?
Young golf star Jordan Spieth has pulled out of contention to take part at the 2016 Rio Olympics. The American cited fears about the Zika virus, according to the International Golf Federation, which released a list of eligible players on July 11.
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Photos: Zika worries: Who's skipping the Olympics?
The U.S. golf team will also be without world No. 2 Dustin Johnson, who won the U.S. Open in June. Johnson pulled out on July 8, saying "my concerns about the Zika virus cannot be ignored." He already has a baby boy with fiancee Paulina Gretzky.
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Photos: Zika worries: Who's skipping the Olympics?
South African golfer Lee-Anne Pace, who ranks No. 21 in the LPGA, said she does not want to be considered to represent her country in Rio this summer because of Zika. Noting that the decision is personal, she said, "Playing in the Rio 2016 Olympics is an incredible honor for any athlete, and we are excited for golf's return to the Games. We also realize that the Zika virus is a concern for many, particularly for women with plans for a family in the near-term."
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Photos: Zika worries: Who's skipping the Olympics?
Australian Jason Day, ranked No. 1 in the world of golf, says he will not compete in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio due to concerns over the Zika virus. "The reason for my decision is my concern about the possible Zika virus and the potential risks that it may present to my wife's future pregnancies and to the future members of our family," Day said in announcing his decision.
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Photos: Zika worries: Who's skipping the Olympics?
Golf's world No. 4, Rory McIIroy, announced in June that he wouldn't be competing in the Rio Olympics amid fears surrounding the Zika virus. "After speaking with those closest to me, I've come to realize that my health and my family's health comes before anything else," McIIroy said in a statement.
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Photos: Zika worries: Who's skipping the Olympics?
On June 28, Irish golfer Shane Lowry announced he is withdrawing from the 2016 Olympics games being held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in August. In a statement Lowry said, "While I am bitterly disappointed to be missing out on that experience and the opportunity to win an Olympic medal for Ireland, on this occasion I have to put my family's welfare first."
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Photos: Zika worries: Who's skipping the Olympics?
Australian golfer Marc Leishman pulled out of the Olympic Games amid concerns over the Zika virus' impact on his wife's compromised immune system. "We have consulted with Audrey's physician and, due to her ongoing recovery and potential risks associated with the transmission of the Zika virus, it was a difficult yet easy decision not to participate," he said in June.
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Photos: Zika worries: Who's skipping the Olympics?
Fiji's Vijay Singh has chosen not to participate in the Olympics, which includes golf for the first time in 112 years. Singh, a three-time major winner, was one of the first notable athletes to drop out of the games because of the Zika virus. He announced his decision in mid-April.
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Photos: Zika worries: Who's skipping the Olympics?
American cyclist Tejay van Garderen will be skipping the Olympics. "If my wife wasn't pregnant right now, I'd be going to Rio," he told CNN. "My biggest concern is for the baby on the way. I would never tell any athlete who's worked their butt off for four years not to go to the games."
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Photos: Zika worries: Who's skipping the Olympics?
"Today" anchor Savannah Guthrie announced in June that she is expecting her second child and will not be heading to Brazil to cover the Olympic Games because of concerns about the Zika virus. "I'm not going to be able to go to Rio," she told co-anchor Matt Lauer. "The doctors say we shouldn't because of the Zika virus."
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Former world No. 1 Tiger Woods has questioned the quality of the field that will take part on Rio de Janeiro's new course in August.
The qualifying format -- four players per country from the world's top 15, plus two players per country outside that -- also devalues the competition, according to the American.
"I know they have to try to have four guys from each country participate, but I just wish they would have had more quality of a field similar to what we face in major championships or the World Golf Championships or the Players," said the 40-year-old, who is still recovering from back surgery and will not take part in Brazil.
"I think the Olympics deserve that."
Take a look at Rio's Olympic golf course 08:28
