Pace, who is ranked 38th in the world, has withdrawn from the event out of fear over the Zika virus.

Her withdrawal comes just a day after the men’s world number one, Jason Day of Australia and Ireland’s Shane Lowrey, announced their withdrawals.

Lowrey, who is ranked 25th in the world, says while he is aware that there is just a slim possibility of contracting the virus, it’s a risk he was not willing to take.

“While I am bitterly disappointed to be missing out on that experience and the opportunity to win an Olympic medal for Ireland, on this occasion I have to put my family’s welfare first.”

Meanwhile, the world number two, Jordan Spieth of the USA, has said that he is still undecided on whether or not he will be competing at the Summer Games in Brazil.

“Right now, I'm uncertain," said the 22-year-old Texan.

“I've always been excited about the possibility but there’s quite a few different factors that would turn somebody away from going.

“I have not received enough information to make an informed decision either way, so as we gather more information I will be able to make a decision one way or the other.”

Other players who have already withdrawn are Branden Grace, Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel of South Africa, Marc Leischman and Adam Scott of Australia, Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland and Vijay Singh of Fiji.

Morgan Piek/OFM News