Marcus Fraser tells critics of Adam Scott to get off his back following his withdrawal from Olympic race

MARCUS Fraser has no issues with fellow Aussie pros Adam Scott and Marc Leishman choosing to miss the Olympics, and not just because it means he now could be headed to Rio.

Russell Gould

3 min read

May 5, 2016 - 2:17PM

Critics need to lay off Adam Scott, says Marcus Fraser. Picture: Getty Images

MARCUS Fraser has no issues with fellow Aussie pros Adam Scott and Marc Leishman choosing to miss the Olympics, and not just because it means he now could be headed to Rio.

Leishman, Australia’s third highest-ranked golfer, joined Scott in withdrawing from the selection process, citing health concerns for his wife, Audrey, who is still recovering from toxic shock syndrome.

The Victorian missed the 2015 Masters to care for Audrey, who was in a coma for four days, and Leishman said her still depleted immune system, and the threat of contracting the Zika virus in Rio, forced his hand.

“We have consulted with Audrey’s physician and due to her ongoing recovery from toxic shock and potential risks associated with the transmission of the Zika virus, it was a difficult yet easy decision not to participate,” Leishman said in a statement.

“You couldn’t have a prouder Australian than Adam Scott. Someone who holes a putt to win the Masters and yells out “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie”. It’s pretty clear the way he thinks.”

“I missed playing in the 2015 Masters tournament to be at her side when she was originally stricken and I cannot risk placing her health in jeopardy.

“The Masters and the Olympics are the two biggest tournaments to which a golfer can be invited; however, my family will always come before golf.”

Fraser, the world number 63, is next in line to join Aussie world number one Jason Day in Rio and said critics of Scott were wide of the mark.

“The Olympics is not the pinnacle of our sport. One day it might be, but at the moment the majors are,” Fraser told the Herald Sun.

Marcus Fraser says the golf isn’t the pinnacle of his sport. Picture: Daniel Wilkins

“The longer golf spends in the Olympics it may be regarded more highly. But for Adam Scott to be criticised ... I think it’s absolute garbage.

“You couldn’t have a prouder Australian than Adam Scott. Someone who holes a putt to win the Masters and yells out “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie”. It’s pretty clear the way he thinks.”

Last week Day also defended Scott’s decision not to go but said he would be “honoured” to win an Olympic medal.

“For me personally, I’m looking forward to the challenge of trying to win a medal,” Day said.

Scott cited a packed schedule as one reason behind his decision and yesterday said he expected criticism but was happy to wear it.

“The tough part was to choose not to represent Australia, but I feel like I do that every week,” the 35-year-old said.

“I’ve lived my life representing Australia and I’ve tried to do the best job I can of that. I think I’m far from abandoning my country.”

Fraser said he would be delighted if he made the team, but knows Matt Jones and Scott Hend, just behind him in the rankings, could overtake him before the July 11 cut-off.

“I’d love to go. It’s a bit up in the air at the moment, with a couple of guys being so close in the rankings. This week I’m next one in, but next week that could all change,” Fraser said.

“I think it’s pretty exciting. Hopefully I can play well in the next two months, and get one of those spots.

“I’ve got come some good events coming up, with good world rankings points, so if I play well hopefully it will be enough.

“But if one of the other guys goes and wins an event, they’ll jump past me. A lot of it is out of my hands but at the same it’s up to me to play well and stay in front of them.

“There is a lot of golf to be played.”

Fraser will play five events between now and the naming of the team, which could be six if the Malaysian Open winner gets in to the US Open, to secure a Rio berth.

Minjee Lee and Karrie Webb are the two leading female Australia players in the rankings, and both are believed to be fully committed to the Olympics.