Rickie Fowler and Matt Kuchar relishing Olympic experience
Wednesday 10 August 2016 19:31, UK
Rickie Fowler and Matt Kuchar believe the golfers who decided to pull out of competing at the Rio Olympics may regret their decision.
The pair are two of four players representing Team USA in the 60-man field, alongside Patrick Reed and Bubba Watson.
Concerns over the Zika virus saw a number of high-profile players withdraw from competing in the Games, where golf is in the schedule for the first time since 1904.
The world's top four are not featuring this week, including world No 1 Jason Day, but Fowler wanted to make it clear to his absent compatriots that the team are enjoying a safe and enjoyable Rio experience.
"I'm probably asked the most about Jordan [Spieth] and Rory [McIlroy] and I told them I tried to get Jordan down here as much as possible," Fowler said.
"I told them we all respect the decisions that were made, whether it was anything around schedule, health concerns or worried about security and that's possibly one thing that I've relayed back since we've been down here.
"I haven't had a problem and I definitely feel safe here, whether I'm in the village venues, getting transported back and forth.... I've seen a couple of mosquitos, but nothing crazy."
Fowler has been busy on social media to show off his time in Rio, posting pictures with record-breaking swimmer Michael Phelps and a number of other athletes during the opening ceremony.
Kuchar only qualified for the Games when US Open champion Dustin Johnson and two-time major winner Spieth withdrew, and believes there will be many players who wished they decided to make the trip.
"I think the event is going to go off great," Kuchar said. "[There are] certainly going to be guys regretting it, thanks a lot to Rickie's help.
"I had fingers crossed secretly hoping players would pull out. I always had a hope I could make it and to be here now is quite amazing. I knew there were concerns - I figured, though, that a lot of things get blown out of proportion.
"The people that had actually spent time here said it's a great city and you'll love coming down here."
