Golf’s return to the Olympic Games in Rio this summer has been dealt its most serious blow yet with the announcement that Rory McIlroy, the world No 4, has withdrawn due to concerns over the Zika virus.

Despite reassurances from the World Health Organisation (WHO) that there is a “very low risk” of the virus spreading globally as a result of the Games being held in Brazil, McIlroy, who was set to represent Ireland, has decided to miss golf’s first Olympic appearance for 112 years.

“After much thought and deliberation, I have decided to withdraw my name from consideration for this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero,” said the 27-year-old in a statement. “After speaking with those closest to me, I’ve come to realise that my health and my family’s health comes before anything else. Even though the risk of infection from the Zika virus is considered low, it is a risk none the less and a risk I am unwilling to take.

“I trust the Irish people will understand my decision. The unwavering support I receive every time I compete in a golf tournament at home or abroad means the world to me. I will continue to endeavour to make my fans and fans of golf proud with my play on the course and my actions off it.”

Along with marquee names and major winners like Adam Scott, Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen, McIlroy has now become the latest world power to withdraw from an Olympic golf event that has not had its troubles to seek.

The building of the course itself was beset with delays and debate and its siting on an area of environmental protection angered campaigners. The fairly run-of-the-mill 72-hole strokeplay format of the tournament also brought negative feedback while the very presence of golf in the Olympics prompted much shrugging indifference. The aforementioned Scott, for instance, was never a supporter from the outset and described the sport’s inclusion as nothing more than an “exhibition”.

Furthermore, the fact that an already jam-packed golfing calendar has been condensed to accommodate the Olympics has also created numerous scheduling problems for the global campaigners and has been the reason for many high profile withdrawals. With the golf event in Rio set to start on August 11, there will be just 11 days between the end of the Open Championship and the start of the US PGA Championship, the final major of the season.

McIlroy had his own Olympic dilemma to attend to a couple of years ago when he was faced with the choice of representing either Great Britain or Ireland. The Northern Irishman eventually decided upon Ireland like he had done during his formative years in the amateur game where golf, like other sports, remains unified.

With that weight off his shoulders, the four-time major winner expressed an enthusiasm for the Olympic contest “This is the first time golf has been in the Olympics for a long time and if the best players aren’t there, supporting the event and competing in it, then what’s the point?” he said at the time. “I feel like I have a responsibility to grow the game, as part of a group of players who can spread this game throughout the world.”

Jason Day, the world No 1, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler and Dustin Johnson, as well as Lydia Ko, the global frontrunner in the women’s game, are all still in the Olympic field but McIlroy’s decision may yet prompt more big name withdrawals over the next few weeks.