World number one Jason Day announced on Tuesday that he will not be competing in the Rio Olympics.

World number one, Jason Day has withdrawn from the Rio Olympics because of the Zika virus, costing golf its number one player as it returns from a century-long absence at the games.

The sport has lost two of its biggest stars in the last week. Rory McIlroy, a four-time major champion, also said Zika will keep him from competing in Rio de Janeiro.

Day says his only reason for not going is concern over transmission of the mosquito-borne virus that has been linked to severe birth defects.

The 28-year-old Australian says while the risk is slight, it's not one he is willing to take because he plans to have more children.

Day is the sixth high-profile player to pull out because of concerns over Zika, following fellow Australian Marc Leishman, Fiji's Vijay Singh, South Africa's Branden Grace and Northern Ireland pair McIlory and Graeme McDowell.

The Olympics get underway on the 5th of August.