Under Armour golfer Jordan Spieth called his move to withdraw from the Rio Olympics the hardest decision he’s ever made.
A few days ahead of the British Open, Spieth said health concerns were the reason he’s opting out this year. Spieth’s move follows announcements by three other top golfers — Jason Day, Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy — who have all withdrawn from the Olympics over the past few weeks.
The move is certainly a blow to Under Armour, which is betting big on the Rio Games as it marches into the Brazil market. Spieth, who won last year’s U.S. Open and Masters tournaments, is one of the athletic brand’s biggest athletes of the moment.
He spoke to FN about his relationship with the company earlier this year for our issue celebrating the brand’s 20-year milestone.
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“It’s been a great experience to be involved in the development of Under Armour’s first golf footwear line, and I’ve learned a lot about how important my gear is to my game,” said Spieth, who signed with the brand in 2013. In addition to his design assists, the golfer also has been busy crisscrossing the globe, playing in Abu Dhabi in January and most recently in Houston.
