TROON, Scotland -- Citing health concerns -- but not specifically the Zika virus -- Jordan Spieth on Tuesday said it was probably the hardest decision Ive had to make in my life when he decided to withdraw from the Olympic golf tournament.For months, Spieth, 22, had professed his desire to represent the United States and participate in golfs return to the Games after 104 years. He had even been featured in advertisements for the Aug. 11-14 event in Brazil.But like many of his peers, Spieth on Monday said he wont be making the trip and also said he would not defend his title at the John Deere Classic -- a PGA Tour event that is being played the same week.This was harder than trying to decide what university to go to, Spieth said Tuesday during a news conference at Royal Troon, where the 145th Open begins Thursday. Whether to turn professional and leave school. This was something I very much struggled with. I bounced back and forth with, and ultimately a decision had to be made yesterday, and so I made it.Why was it so hard?Because Im a huge believer in Olympic golf, he said. Im a huge believer in playing for your country, showing I absolutely look forward to Summer and Winter Olympics. Its the most exciting sporting event for me to watch on TV, and to have a chance to be a part of it is something I definitely look forward to trying to do.Spieth said that although he doesnt expect anyone to understand his decision, he believes its the right one.Unfortunately, this is going to be a very, very difficult thing for me to do to watch the opening ceremonies and watch my peers compete for a gold medal or any medal for that [matter], and watch people stand on the stage and hear the national anthem playing.Spieth said hes looked forward to Olympic golf since 2009, when its return to the Olympics was announced. He said hell make it a significant goal to be at Tokyo in 2020.?Spieth would not specifically cite Zika as the reason for his withdrawal. He said reportssuggesting that he is doing so for just that reason are false. Rio has been plagued with health and security issues, and those factors undoubtedly weighed in his decision, although he would not discuss them specifically.Ranked third in the world and basically the face of American golf after winning two major championships and the PGA Tours FedEx Cup title in 2015, Spieth was viewed as an excellent ambassador for golfs re-entry into the Olympics.But he joined the other top-four players in the world -- Jason Day, Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy -- in electing to stay home.During a 30-minute news conference, Spieth fielded 22 questions, 13 of which were about the Olympics -- even though The Open is set to begin in two days.I can understand why people are skeptical, he said. Theyre as passionate about the Olympics, as I am. They also are not in my shoes. So I feel that many, if not all of you, would have made the same decision I made if you were in my shoes. Whether you believe it or not, so be it. This is just something that was very, very challenging for me. I very much struggled with it. I certainly didnt want to have to do this during major week. Obviously, would have rather had the focus be on the Open Championship, but it hasnt been the beginning of this week. Hopefully it will after I leave this room.Peter Dawson, the former head of the R&A and the current president of the International Golf Federation, on Monday said he thought the Zika threat had been overblown,?as?few athletes from other sports have withdrawn because of it.It very well could be, Spieth said. Im not sure.A year ago, Spieth won the John Deere Classic, then flew to St. Andrews attempting to make history by winning the first three majors in the same year. He came up one shot short of a playoff won by Zach Johnson.This year, the Deere tournament was moved to the same week as the Olympics, but Spieth said he wont be defending his title.I dont think thats appropriate, he said. I dont think it would be an appropriate move to play that week. So I will not be playing that week. I dont think it would be appropriate given our decision on the Olympics.But I do look forward to going back there. I love the tournament. I love the people. I obviously played it well. Air Max Scontate Donne . "Thank you for the warm welcome," Beckham said on an 80-degree February morning. In this case, it was soccer weather. The sport moved a step closer to returning to South Florida on Wednesday, when Beckham confirmed he has exercised his option to purchase a Major League Soccer expansion franchise in Miami. Air Max 270 Economiche . LOUIS -- Theres no telling how these wacky World Series games will end. https://www.scontatescarpeoutlet.it/scarpe-air-max-outlet-scontate-c2366.html . Kozun faked to the forehand and beat Monsters starter, Calvin Pickard, pad side in the second round for the winner. Spencer Abbott also scored in the shootout for the Marlies (25-13-4). Air Max 720 Scontate Uomo . 31, the CFL club announced Monday. The team also has yet to decide on the future of Doug Berry, who began the season as a consultant to the head coach but took over the offensive co-ordinators duties in July. Air Max 270 Offerta . -- Brandon Jennings made the most of his first game with the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night. THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- Jared Goff is one step closer to the field for the Los Angeles Rams.The No. 1 overall draft pick will be the Rams backup quarterback Sunday, putting him in uniform for the first time in his rookie season.Coach Jeff Fisher made the announcement Friday after Los Angeles final practice for its home opener against Seattle.Hes ready to play, Fisher said. He got some reps throughout the week. (Its) good for him. Its exciting for him, just knowing that hes a snap away from going into the game. He was here until the wee hours (Thursday) night preparing, as he should.Goff was the inactive third-stringer for the Rams 28-0 loss at San Francisco in their season opener Monday. Sean Mannion served as the backup to Case Keenum, who went 17 for 35 for 130 yards with two interceptions.Keenum is still the starter, but Fisher said the team is confident Goff would be ready to play. Fisher hasnt decided whether hell switch the backup job between Goff and Mannion again next week, saying hell wait to see how the weekend goes.Goff was told about the decision earlier in the week.Ive just been preparing the same way Ive been preparing, Goff said.While Philadelphias Carson Wentz and Dallas Dak Prescott started in last weeks openers as rookies, Goff watched the opener in street clothes. He hasnt stopped studying and learning with the Rams, who obviously expect the former California star to be their starter in the near future.Goff went 22 for 49 with two touchdown passes and two interceptions in the preseason with the Rams, who had the NFLs worst offense last season. After the preseason finale, Fisher said Goff wasnt ready to be the backup to Keenum, who easily kept the starting job he won late last season from Nick Foles.Goff has practiced with the first-team offense more frequently this week, something he also did during training camp.I dont feel like I need too maany (practice opportunities) to go in there and play right now, Goff said.dddddddddddd Id like to have as many as possible, but whatever they do is their decision. ... Its faster, obviously, when the preseason goes to regular season. Its still football, though. Just try to keep it simple.While Goff has been calm and supportive of Keenum throughout his first NFL quarterback derby, he hasnt been a backup for six years, since early in his sophomore year of high school in Marin County.I just prepare the same way every week, Goff said. It can happen any time. Obviously going to support Case, but anything can happen. Ill be ready when my number is called.If Keenum doesnt improve from Week 1, that number could be called quickly. He blamed himself afterward for the loss to the 49ers, saying he overthought the game.As an offense, we need to trust him, offensive coordinator Rob Boras said. We need to trust what we see, not overthink it. Trust our coaching. Trust our vision. Trust our instincts and play.The only team that managed fewer yards than the Rams 185 during the opening week was Buffalo, which fired offensive coordinator Greg Roman on Friday after a second offensive clunker against the New York Jets on Thursday night.Boras probably doesnt need to be worried about his job security, however. He only took over the Rams offense last December with four games left in the 2015 season -- and one of those games was a rainy road victory over the Seahawks.Didnt see it coming, Boras said of the Rams struggles at San Francisco. I think, across the board, coaches (and) players would say that we thought we had a great week of preparation and then obviously just didnt live up to our standard.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '