Four-time Major winner Rory McIlroy has revealed that he may reject the chance to compete in this summer's Olympics in Rio de Janeiro due to the Zika virus sweeping through Brazil.

The virus has been known to create brain deformities in newborn babies, and McIlroy is concerned that it could affect his plans to start a family with fiancee Erica Stoll.

"There's going to be a point in the next couple of years where we're going to have to think about starting a family," BBC Sport quotes McIlroy as saying. "Right now I'm ready to go but I don't want anything to affect that."

When asked if there was a chance that he might not go to the Games, McIlroy said: "Yeah, [but] right now I am going and looking forward to it."

It is the first time since 1904 that golf will be part of the Olympic calendar.