Rory McIlroy pulls out of Olympics because of fears over Zika virus

Rory McIlroy has pulled out of the Olympic Games in Rio because of concerns about the Zika virus.

In a statement, McIlroy said that "my health and my family's health comes before everything else".

"Even though the risk of infection from the Zika virus is considered low, it is a risk nonetheless and a risk I am unwilling to take," said McIlroy, 27.

Vijay Singh and Australia's Marc Leishman have already pulled out of the games because of the Zika issue.

Earlier this month, four-time major winner McIlroy, who was set to represent Ireland in Rio, said that his concerns over the virus had eased.

The mosquito-borne virus has been linked to brain defects in newborn babies.