Six weeks ago Carlota Ciganda’s muscles started to ache. She also spiked a fever and battled headaches. The Spanish player decided to get tested for COVID-19 and it came back positive. She isolated in her apartment in Arizona and continued to test positive.
“I did the quarantine two weeks; came back positive,” she said. “I wait another week, positive. And I think my fourth one, so yeah, a month, came back negative.”
Ciganda’s ordeal was first reported in the Spanish media. By the time she arrived in Toledo, Ohio, she was feeling good. Understandably, Ciganda chose to keep her mask on when met with the media at Inverness after an opening 2-under 70. She’s four back of leader Danielle Kang. Ciganda, a two-time winer on the LPGA, is currently No. 16 in the world.
“After 10 days I was feeling fine,” she said. “Just a little annoyed that I couldn’t really practice much or do much, because obviously it’s a horrible feeling knowing you can spread the virus to someone else.”
Ciganda was tested twice by the LPGA before she was allowed to tee it up in Friday’s opening round. In all, a total of 466 pre-travel and onsite COVID-19 saliva tests were given to players and caddies before today’s restart. Three tests came back positive: Marina Alex, Gaby Lopez and one caddie.
“I think I should have antibodies for at least a couple months,” said Ciganda, “but to be honest, I don’t know. I didn’t even get that test done, so I don’t know if I have them. I hope I have some, so that way will be tougher to get it again.
“I’m still very careful keeping the distance. I’ve been washing my hands all the time and just not going anywhere. Just from here to the hotel, getting some food. You have to be careful, especially to keep everyone healthy and to keep playing.”
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