Former British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen has become the third high-profile golfer to withdraw from this summer's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, citing family and schedule issues.
South African Oosthuizen follows what could become a pattern, started last week by Fiji's former world No 1 Vijay Singh and continued on Tuesday by Australia's 2013 Masters champion Adam Scott.
"I have always represented South Africa with pride so didn't make my decision without a great deal of thought," 2010 British Open winner Oosthuizen said in a statement.
"I would like to wish our golfers and all other athletes competing in Brazil all the very best for success."
According to his management company, world No 12 Oosthuizen informed South Africa's Olympic committee of his decision "after long deliberations citing family and schedule issues".
The decisions by Oosthuizen, Scott and Singh were described as "regrettable" by the International Golf Federation (IGF).
"The IGF understands the challenges players face in terms of scheduling this summer and it is regrettable to see a few leading players withdraw from this year's Games," IGF president Peter Dawson said in a statement.
"The Olympics is the world's greatest celebration of sport and it is exciting and appropriate that golf features in its programme again."
Singh, a three-times major winner, announced last week that the Zika virus was his main reason for skipping the Rio Games.
"I would like to play the Olympics, but the Zika virus, you know..." Singh (53) told Golf Channel. "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."
US health officials have concluded that Zika infections in in pregnant women can cause microcephaly, a birth defect marked by small head size that can lead to severe developmental problems in babies.
The World Health Organization has said there is strong scientific consensus that Zika can also cause Guillain-Barre, a rare neurological syndrome that causes temporary paralysis in adults.
The connection between Zika and microcephaly first came to light last autumn in Brazil, which has now confirmed more than 1100 cases of microcephaly that it considers to be related to Zika infections in the mothers.
For Scott, a hectic playing schedule from mid-June until mid-August was his biggest cause for concern with the last three golf majors this year crammed into a seven-week span because of the Rio Games.
"It's nothing I've ever aspired to do and I don't think I ever will," world No 7 Scott said last year. "It's all about the four majors and I think that's the way it should stay for golf."
