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Vijay Singh will skip golf competition in 2016 Summer Olympics

Vijay Singh tees off in Orlando, Fla., on March 17.

Vijay Singh tees off in Orlando, Fla., on March 17.

(Willie J. Allen, Jr. / Associated Press)
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Add Vijay Singh’s name to a small but potentially growing list of pro golfers who will skip their sport’s Olympic return in Rio de Janeiro this summer.

The PGA Tour veteran has informed officials in his native Fiji that — for a variety of reasons — he has changed his mind about competing in Brazil.

“The timing of it, you know I have to focus over here [on the Tour],” Singh told GolfChannel.com. “I would like to play the Olympics, but the Zika virus, you know and all that ... .”

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The 53-year-old has struggled so far this season, missing the cut in half of his 10 starts, including the Masters.

Golf is returning to the Olympic program for the first time since 1904. While many pros have expressed interest in representing their countries, some are expected to opt out.

Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain, currently listed as an alternate for his country’s team, recently withdrew from consideration.

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