April 13--In explaining his decision to blow off the Olympics, Vijay Singh used the perfect word.
See if you can find it in his statement to GolfChannel.com: "The timing of it, you know, I have to focus over here (on the PGA Tour). I would like to play the Olympics, but the Zika virus, you know, and all that crap."
Yes, crap.
That is what I think of Singh's decision to prioritize his cash flow over his country, Fiji.
Equally lame was his meandering, disingenuous explanation. If the Zika virus causes people to speak in nonsensical yammering, I'm afraid Singh is already afflicted.
He also said: "It wasn't that difficult (a decision). I feel bad. I wanted to play and finally decided against it. It's in the middle of the Tour over here and I'm trying to figure out my game."
The event will be played in Rio from Aug. 11-14. It's not ideal timing, coming four weeks after the British Open and two weeks after the PGA Championship. And it's the same weekend as the John Deere Classic, in Silvis, Ill.
But Singh should welcome the chance to be relevant again. The world's former No. 1 has slipped to No. 215 with a lone top-25 finish in 10 events in the 2015-16 season. But with countries limited to two players outside the top 15 (right now the U.S would be repped by Jordan Spieth, Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler and Dustin Johnson), Singh figured to qualify for the men's 60-player field.
Here's what we know so far about Zika: It is spread primarily by mosquito bites, and most cases are so mild, people don't even know they've been infected. On the scary side, Zika also has been linked to birth defects. So if you're a woman who is considering getting pregnant or a man aiming to become a father, you should follow precautions.
Singh is 53 and not a woman. Plus we're still nearly four months from the Rio Games. Who knows what the medical community will be saying about Zika then. Remember when SARS was supposedly a reason not to travel to China, Hong Kong, even Canada?
Look, if Sings wants to bow out of the Olympics, go ahead. He's an unpleasant mope anyway.
Just don't use Zika like athletes use "the flu" when they're too hungover to play.
Say that you don't care about representing your country. Or that there already is a Ryder Cup and a Presidents Cup. Say you're too tired. Or go with: "I love the Quad Cities way more than making quads."
Just don't try to feed us any crap.
tgreenstein@tribpub.com
