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The world number 11, who is South Africa's top ranked golfer,
joins compatriots Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel in
pulling out of the August Games, which will see the sport return
for the first time in 112 years.
"After serious consideration, it is with regret that I have
decided to withdraw myself from the Olympic competition due to
the risk posed by the Zika virus," the 28-year-old, who is
engaged to Nieke Coetzee, said in a statement.
"Although it was a huge goal of mine to represent my country in
the Olympics, we are getting married in November and hoping to
start a family in the near future, so I must put the health of
my family first."
South Africa team captain Gary Player said he was disappointed
but respected Grace's decision.
"Like Louis and Charl, his presence will be missed by the South
African team," he said in a statement. "Now we simply have to
take the 'next man up' mentality. No doubt in my mind we can
still deliver a medal."
Grace's withdrawal means Jaco Van Zyl (world number 59) and
Brandon Stone (101) are in line to represent South Africa in
Rio.
Northern Ireland's four-times major winner Rory McIlroy
announced on Wednesday he would not go to Rio because of health
fears over Zika.
Former U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell then issued a
statement ruling himself out as replacement because his wife is
due to give birth a couple of weeks after the Games.
Fiji's Vijay Singh and Australia's Marc Leishman have also
pulled out of the Olympics due to concerns over Zika.
U.S. health officials have concluded that Zika infections 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 Organisation has said there is strong
scientific consensus that Zika can also cause Guillain-Barre, a
rare neurological syndrome that causes temporary paralysis in
adults.
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin; Editing by John O'Brien)
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