Graeme McDowell joins Rory McIlroy in withdrawing from Irish Olympic contention

Who's next?

Graeme McDowell has followed Rory McIlroy in making himself unavailable for selection for Ireland's team for the Olympic Games on Rio. Like McIlroy, McDowell has cited fears over the Zika virus as his reasoning for opting out.

"I woke yesterday morning to the news that Rory McIlroy had withdrawn from the Irish Olympic Golf team, putting me in line for an automatic spot on the team," McDowell said in a statement. "As many within golf will know my wife Kristin is pregnant and is due to have our second child just a couple of weeks after the Olympic Golf competition concludes. I made the decision many months ago, before I was on the team, that I would not play or travel outside the US, where I and my family live, in the weeks running up to the birth. "Unfortunately I will therefore not be available to replace Rory on the team. I have informed Paul McGinely and the Olympic Council of Ireland of my decision."

The withdrawal of McDowell and McIlroy leaves Shane Lowry and Padraig Harrington in pole position to represent Ireland at the Games. If either decides against going to Rio, Paul Dunne would be next in line.