Golf: Lydia Ko on Zika - Not worried about it

Lydia Ko, of New Zealand, walks off the sixth green after making a birdie during the second round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament. Photo / AP.

Unlike her male counterparts, golfer Lydia Ko has expressed little concern about the Zika virus ahead of the Rio Olympics.

Ahead of the latest LPGA tournament starting tomorrow, the 19-year-old New Zealander was asked if the Zika virus was a big concern going into next month's Olympics in Brazil.

"It's not something I've been really worried about," Ko said on the eve of the Marathon Classic.

"I believe in all the experts and everybody that's taking care of this. I truly believe that if it was so dangerous that we couldn't compete and it wasn't right that I'm sure they would pull us off in the first place.

"We've got the world's best experts there handling all the situations, so as an athlete perspective, I think it's right for us to believe and trust them."

A number of the world's best male golfers have withdrawn from Rio citing the Zika virus, including Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Jason Day.

Ko, who won at the Highland Meadows Golf Club in 2014, is looking to bounce back this week following her poor finish at the US Open on Monday when she gave up a two-shot lead to finish tied for third.