A fifth PGA Tour player has tested positive for COVID-19.
The Tour announced Monday Harris English tested positive for the virus and has withdrawn from the Rocket Mortgage Classic. The 30-year-old did not compete during last week’s Travelers Championship.
Harris is the second player to test positive ahead of this week’s event at Detroit Golf Club. The Tour announced Sunday Dylan Frittelli also tested positive for the virus.
Three weeks after the Tour’s restart at the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club, five players and two caddies have tested positive on the PGA Tour.
English, a two-time winner on Tour, competed in the season restart at Colonial, but missed the cut. He finished T-17 at the RBC Heritage. His best finish ahead of the season being postponed in March was T-4 at the Houston Open in October.
PGA TOUR statement – COVID-19 Update – June 29, 2020 pic.twitter.com/dBHwBjeiWu
— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) June 29, 2020
“While it’s disappointing to receive this news, as I feel healthy, I’m pleased that the new safety protocols we have in place worked this week,” English said in a statement provided by the Tour. “I fully support the Tour’s new rule of not allowing anyone on the tournament grounds until testing negative, as protecting others in the field and everyone affiliated with the tournament in the community should be the number one priority as a result of a positive test. I appreciate the tour support and I look forward to competing again after I’m fully recovered.”
The PGA Tour implemented a new rule that players must await a negative COVID-19 test result before being allowed on tournament grounds after Nick Watney, the first Tour player to test positive after the Tour’s restart June 11, interacted with other players while awaiting a test result.
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