American golfer Nick Watney has withdrawn from the RBC Heritage in South Carolina, after he became the first golfer to test positive for COVID-19 on Saturday (NZ time).
The 39-year-old, who missed the cut in the PGA Tour's return from a three-month hiatus at Fort Worth last week, travelled privately to Hilton Head Island this week.
Watney, who fired an opening 74 at Harbour Town Golf Links, complained of feeling unwell, before heading to the course to prepare for his second round. After consulting a physician, Watney was administered a test and found to be positive.
The test is a big blow for the tour, in the second event of its resumption.
"For the health and well-being of all associated with the tournament and those within the community, the tour has begun implementing its response plan in consultation with medical experts, including working with those who may have had close contact with Nick," says the PGA Tour.
Watney, a five-time winner on the PGA Tour, played the first round in a group with fellow Americans Vaughn Taylor and Luke List.
Taylor, who will be tested again as part of the PGA Tour's protocol, learned about Watney's positive test midway through his second round.
"My heart started racing, got a little nervous," says Vaughn. "Just hope Nick's doing well and we get through this.
"I didn't have any close contact with Nick yesterday. We kept our space.
"We didn't shake hands. Right after the round, I washed my hands.
"Nick never coughed or sneezed, so I feel comfortable."
Former world No.1 Brooks Koepka hopes other golfers don't get the virus.
"It's unfortunate Nick got it," he says. "But at the same time, hopefully, it stays with just him and doesn't spread, because we'll have a big issue on our hands, if it keeps going as the weeks continue."
The tournament is the second of five on the PGA Tour's revamped schedule that is being played without spectators to help stem the spread of the novel coronavirus.
According to a PGA Tour participant resource guide, anyone who tests positive will be quarantined, while a "disinfecting/decontaminating response" is implemented.
The guide also says at-home tests before traveling to a tournament are "strongly encouraged", but not required.
After arriving at a tournament, players and caddies must receive a nasal swab test and thermal screening.
Once a negative test result is received, players will be issued a wristband or lanyard that grants them access to the locker room and clubhouse.
World No.1 Rory McIlroy says Watney texted him the news, since the two had chatted with each other on a practice green earlier in the day.
"We were at a distance. He was just saying, 'look, I hope I didn't get too close to you'," says McIlroy. "He feels badly that he was here today at the golf course.
"I said, 'look, it's fine'. You never know, so I said to him, 'if I was in your position, I probably would have been here too'.
"Look, at this point, you just have to concentrate on getting better and getting healthy."
Reuters
