Shane Lowry has become the latest golfer to rule himself out of consideration for the Rio Olympic Games.

The Offaly native expressed his concern for the Zika virus in a statement released this afternoon. 

"It is with a very heavy hearty that I have had to make the decision over the past couple of days to withdraw from the upcoming Olympic Games this August," he said.

"Myself and my management team have been closely monitoring the Zika virus situation in South America for the last couple of months, but based on a number of consolations with leading medical experts in recent days, I feel I would be putting my family's health at risk by being in Brazil at the current time." 

Statement on my Olympic Games participation pic.twitter.com/KY4YBzFa3g

— Shane Lowry (@ShaneLowryGolf) June 28, 2016

Lowry recently tied the knot in New York to partner Wendy Honner and explains that he is hoping to start a family "in the near future".

The 29-year-old follows World number one Jason Day who today pulled himself from contention.

Rory McIlroy recently ruled himself out of the Games in Rio, also citing concern for the Zika virus.