Rio Olympics 2016: Golfing star Vijay Singh will miss event due to fears over Zika virus

Vijay Singh of Fiji hits his approach shot on the first hole during the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Former world number one golfer Vijay Singh says he will skip this summer's Rio Olympics, citing the Zika virus as the reason.

The Fijian told the Golf Channel he would instead work on his game on the PGA Tour.

"I would like to play the Olympics, but the Zika virus, you know..." Singh said. "I feel bad, I wanted to play and finally decided against it. It's in the middle of the Tour over here and I'm trying to figure out my game."

Zika, transmitted by mosquitoes, is spreading rapidly in the Americas, according to the World Health Organization.

Much about the virus remains unknown, including whether it actually causes microcephaly in babies. Recent health ministry figures put the number of confirmed and suspected cases of microcephaly in Brazil associated Zika at about 5,200.

Several U.S. athletes said in March they had concerns about the virus, and would monitor the situation ahead of the Games.

The Rio Olympics takes place from Aug. 5 to Aug. 21.