Golfer Rory McIlroy pulled out of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games on Wednesday (22nd June) because of concerns over the Zika virus.

Current world number four Rory McIlroy will not be taking part in the Rio Olympics this summer.

The four-time major champion has pulled out of the Ireland Olympic squad due to concerns over the Zika virus.

A handful of golfers, including Adam Scott, Louis Oosthuizen, Vijay Singh and Marc Leishman, had already withdrawn because of the issue.

The mosquito-borne virus has been linked to brain defects in newborn babies.

In a statement, McIlroy said that "my health and my family's health comes before everything else".

"Even though the risk of infection from the Zika virus is considered low, it is a risk nonetheless and a risk I am unwilling to take,"