TROON, Scotland _ Jordan Spieth called it "probably the hardest decision I've ever had to make in my life at 22 years old." In the end, the two-time major winner said he chose what he thought was best for his future in pulling out of the upcoming Summer Olympics in Brazil.
Appearing before the media on Tuesday at Royal Troon, where the British Open begins on Thursday, Spieth spoke for the first time since his withdrawal Monday from Rio.
"It will loom over me throughout the Olympic Games, for sure," Spieth said. "I will be, I'm sure, at times pretty upset that I'm not down there.
"I thought about all of this ahead of time. When I watched the opening ceremonies, that's going to be a big bummer. Then when I watch these guys competing on the golf course. I'll be texting Rickie (Fowler), obviously, throughout as a good friend of mine."
But, Spieth said, "Nobody's going to understand what it's like to be in my shoes. As you can see, a lot of golfers are trying to decide for themselves. Mine came down to a very personal decision that I don't expect anybody to understand, but trust that I believe I'm making the right decision for myself, for my future and those around me."
Spieth said that reports that he withdrew specifically because of concerns over the Zika virus were erroneous.
"This is health concerns as a whole," Spieth said, not specifying, but possibly referring to other security issues. "I had to weigh the risk for the reward."
Spieth faced a deadline for his decision because the competitors from various countries were decided on Monday.
"I certainly was not trying to wait until the last minute," he said. "I just couldn't make a decision."
World No. 2 Dustin Johnson and Spieth, at No. 3, are the Americans who have withdrawn from the Olympics. Barring further defections, the U.S. will be represented by Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler, Patrick Reed and Matt Kuchar.
Spieth said he texted Fowler that he wouldn't be playing and said, "I'll be rooting for you bud." Fowler, he said, texted back: "No worries. I know you had to make it just for you. You're just going to be jealous when I get the gold."
Spieth's loss to the Olympics will not be the gain of the John Deere Classic, which is being played opposite the Games, beginning on Aug. 11. He has won the tournament two of the last three years, but said he won't enter.
"I don't think it would be appropriate (to play) given our decision on the Olympics," Spieth said.
Sixteen males and one female have withdrawn from Olympic golf, with most citing Zika as their biggest concern. The top-four ranked men in the world aren't playing. The others are No. 1 Jason Day and No. 4 Rory McIlroy.
