Jordan Spieth has chosen to skip the 2016 Olympic golf tournament, citing somewhat vague "health concerns." However, though Spieth is not longer committed to playing in Rio de Janeiro, the world No. 3 has chosen not to defend the title he won at last year's John Deere Classic.
Spieth won the Deere last year when it feel on its normal week on the schedule, the week prior to the Open Championship. This year, the Deere was moved to be the PGA Tour event played opposite the Olympic golf tournament. The Texan, however, doesn't think the optics of skipping the Olympics to play in the Deere make sense.
“I don’t think it would be an appropriate move to play that week,” he said Tuesday ahead of the British Open. He added, “I don’t think it would be appropriate given our decision on the Olympics.”
Spieth is a two-time winner of the Deere, picking up his first PGA Tour win there in 2013, in addition to last year's victory.
Despite his decision to not compete anywhere the week of the Olympic tournament, Spieth did say he intends to return to the Deere, play at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill., in future years.
