Thai golf star Kiradech Aphibarnrat has decided not to defend his Paul Lawrie Match Play crown to focus on the Rio Games 2016.
Kiradech, who is among the four Thai golfers who will be competing at the Games, has informed the Match Play organisers that he will not be taking part in the event in Scotland on Aug 4-7 so that he can have enough time to prepare for the Olympic golf competition scheduled for Aug 11-14.
"He will not able to defend the title because of limited time," his handler said.
"As a champion, he would have loved to defend the title but has decided that it would be better for him to skip the tournament."
At last year's edition, Kiradech beat Robert Karlsson of Sweden in the final to win his third European Tour title.
Ranked 58th in the world, the 27-year-old Kiradech is looking forward to playing at the Olympic Games, terming it to be "another proud moment in my life".
"I represented Thailand for three years and I am really proud of that," said Kiradech, who was a part of the team which won all the four gold medals at the 2007 SEA Games in Nakhon Ratchasima.
"In fact, I always feel proud whenever I wear the Thailand national colours."
Kiradech, who finished tied for 15th place at the Masters this year, said the Olympic Games would be as difficult as any other big event because everyone would want to capture the medals.
"It won't be easy but in golf everything can happen. It will be like any other tournament."
Eight-time European Tour winner Thongchai Jaidee, who will join Kiradech in the men's golf, said he is really proud to represent Thailand in the Games. He earlier played for the national team at the 1998 Asian Games and the 1995 SEA Games.
World No.36 Thongchai admitted that the absence of top guns from the Olympics will not make it an easy tournament.
"Like every player, I want to win the medal but it will not be easy to achieve that," said the 46-year-old former soldier, who was a member of the gold-winning team at the 1995 Chiang Mai SEA Games.
"A number of good players will still be there, so I will be content with a place among the top 10," added Thongchai.
Following this weeks' PGA Championship, the final major of the year, Kiradech and Thongchai will take a break for a few days before leaving for Rio.
After the Games, the duo will represent Thailand at the World Cup in Melbourne, Australia on Nov 23-27.