The background to Leishman's decision is far different to that of Scott, who was never passionate about golf as an Olympic sport and will take time out with his family and continue to build his schedule around the four majors. Putting family first: Marc Leishman. Credit:Rob Gunstone In 2015, Audrey Leishman was critically ill with toxic shock syndrome and put into an induced coma amid fears for her life. She would pull through but remains in delicate shape as she tries to return to full health. She would never have travelled to Rio in any case due to the risk of the mosquito-bourne virus but there is also the chance it can be passed on via males to females through sexual contact, meaning the risk for the Leishman family was too great. "Many of you may know that last April my children and I almost lost my wife, Audrey, to toxic shock syndrome. Since then Audrey has been prone to infection and is far removed from 100 per cent recovery of her immune system," Leishman said in a statement.

"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 wasn't officially on the Olympic team (to be finalised in July) and has unique circumstances surrounding his withdrawal. But it raises further issues about how many other athletes will voice concerns about heading to Brazil. Dr Cameron Webb, a medical entomologist at Sydney University and expert on mosquito-bourne diseases, said Zika was mostly spread via a bite from an infected insect but there were other ways it could be transmitted. "Mosquito bites are the primary and overwhelming way in which Zika virus is transmitted. However there has been a number of cases that have been suspected where Zika virus is transferred by sexual contact through male bodily fluids," Dr Webb said. "About 10 years ago there was a case of some mosquito researcher who returned home to North America from Africa and infected his wife with Zika virus. But it's only been under further investigation, in the last 18 months or so, there has been a whole series of suspected cases around the world.

"I can't comment on his [Leishman's] case specifically but it's consistent with warnings from health authorities around the world, not just for pregnant women to avoid travelling to these areas but for men returning from areas where Zika is circulated, the suggestion is you should avoid sexual contact to completely avoid the risk of transmission." Australian athletes will all be encouraged to lather up with repellent while some nations like South Korea have gone as far as having garments treated with chemicals to try and keep mosquitoes away. Overall, Dr Webb believes the risks are minimal for Olympic athletes providing they stay within designated areas that will have been treated and monitored by local officials prior and during the Games. "The risk for the athletes while they are in Rio I believe will be fairly small. It's only travel by the athletes, staff or other officials to other areas of North or South America where there would be a higher risk," Dr Webb said. Golf Australia chief executive Stephen Pitt said the organisation applauded Leishman for taking care of his family and there may be another opportunity for him in four years' time.