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Lee-Anne Pace becomes 1st women to pull out of Olympic golf

Lee Ann Pace won't compete in the Olympics out of concern about the Zika virus. (AP)
Lee Ann Pace won’t compete in the Olympics out of concern about the Zika virus. (AP)

After a dozen men have announced they have withdrawn their names from consideration for their Olympic golf tournament, a female golfer has finally come forward to do the same.

South African Lee-Anne Pace announced Wednesday that she will not compete in the 60-player women’s golf tournament in Rio de Janeiro over fears of Zika virus.

“After weighing all the options and discussing it with my family and team, I have decided that due to health concerns surrounding the Zika virus, I will not be participating,” Pace said in a statement shared through Twitter announcing her decision.

Pace becomes the fourth South African golfer to decide to skip out on golf’s return to the Olympics after a 112-year absence. Major winners Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen, as well Branden Grace, have also pulled out of potentially representing their country in Brazil.