The Open Diary: Spieth's easy start, Ringo, and three in the sand for Lee

The Rio 2016 Olympics was high on the agenda in Tuesday's media conferences building up to The Open.

Jordan Spieth confirmed he was out and Rory McIlroy made it clear he was never really in.

We've got that, some bunker woes and a nice touch from the Royal Troon hierarchy in our daily Open diary.

 

NO MORE QUESTIONS!

Spieth's withdrawal from Rio 2016 was revealed on Monday by International Golf Federation president Peter Dawson.

The young American fronted up to the media on Tuesday and had the customary luxury of first fielding a tame question from host Mike Woodcock.

Having answered what it would mean to him to win The Open, Spieth looked cautiously at a packed media room and declared: "I can already see by far that's going to be the easiest question I receive."

He got a hearty laugh – and then a good grilling.

 

GOING FOR GOLD

You would be forgiven for thinking there are no golfers left who haven't pulled out of the Games, but you would also be wrong.

There are still some big names heading to Brazil and one in particular is a very close friend of Spieth's.

Rickie Fowler confirmed his intention to compete on Sunday in a tweet and Spieth revealed he was sitting next to his compatriot when he wrote it.