• Associated Press
    Lee-Anne Pace of South Africa has withdrawn her name from consideration for her nation's Olympic team out of concern about the Zika virus.
    Pace, ranked 38th in the world, is the first player on the LPGA tour to officially withdraw from the Olympic competition citing Zika, according to an LPGA official. 
    Several men, including Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, have decided against the trip to Brazil. Australia's Jason Day and Ireland's Shane Lowry withdrew this week.


    Pace, playing this week in the Portland Classic, said she has informed the South African Golf Association, South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee that she has withdrawn her name from consideration for the Olympic team.
    The 35-year-old said she made the decision after discussing her options with her family and her team. She said her health and her future family's health must come first.


    LPGA Statement Regarding Member Participation in Rio
    "Playing in the Rio 2016 Olympics is an incredible honoUr for any athlete, and we are excited for golf's return to the Games.  We also realize that the Zika virus is a concern for many, particularly for women with plans for a family in the near-term.  
    "The decision that any player makes is a personal one, and the LPGA will respect and support our member's decisions as it relates to participating in Rio 2016."