(SATSports) – South African golfer Louis Oosthuizen will not take part in the upcoming Olympic Games in order to focus on a strong finish to the FedEx Cup and honour family commitments.
“Qualifying for the Olympics is a humbling accomplishment and there’s no greater honor than representing your country, so it has been a very difficult decision for me, my team and my family to withdraw from playing in Tokyo. I am focused on finishing a strong Fed Ex Cup season in the United States,” Oosthuizen said in a statement.
The FedEx Cup is a season-long points competition which culminates with the FedEx Cup playoffs, a series of three events to determine a winner who will pocket $15 million.
Oosthuizen is currently 10th in the FedEx Cup standings having come off a second place finish in the U.S. Open behind Spaniard Jon Rahm.
The 38-year-old, a six-time major runner-up, is also preparing for farm life after buying an 86-acre ranch in Ocala, Florida.
“Family has always been my core and this is the best decision for us at this time in our lives. My best are with the South Africans competing. We will be cheering you on!”
Christiaan Bezuidenhout has been drafted in to replace Oosthuizen and will join Garrick Higgo in representing South Africa.
Other notable golfers to withdraw from the Olympics included Sergio Garcia of Spain and Tyrrell Hatton of Great Britain.
The Olympic golf event will be held on July 29-August 1 at Kasumigaseki Country Club.
