Ireland's Shane Lowry has withdrawn from the Rio Olympics due to concerns surrounding the Zika virus.

The Offaly man, who was recently married, said he felt he would be putting his future family plans at risk and based his decision on "firm medical advice".

He said he felt he would be putting his "family's health at risk by being in Brazil at the current time."

Lowry added that he has “not taken the decision lightly and it has been a source of much anguish for me over the past week.

“I am a very proud Irishman and I love my country. Hence, I was really looking forward to walking out behind the Tricolour with the rest of the Irish Olympic team in Rio.

“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.”

Statement on my Olympic Games participation pic.twitter.com/KY4YBzFa3g — Shane Lowry (@ShaneLowryGolf) June 28, 2016

Lowry is the third high profile Irish golfer to withdraw from the games in recent weeks after first Rory McIlroy and then Graeme McDowell announced their withdrawal.

The withdrawal of Lowry would leave Padraig Harrington and Seamus Power as the highest ranked Irish golfers who have not ruled themselves out of the competition.

Qualification will be determined on July 11.

Earlier today, world number one Jason Day also joined the increasingly long list of golfers who will not be competing in Rio.