The PGA Tour’s bubble has been burst.
The Tour’s first positive COVID-19 test after its season restart shifted the mood at Harbour Town Golf Links.
Now what?
Golfweek senior writer Steve DiMeglio joined JuliaKate E. Culpepper live from Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, during Saturday’s third round to discuss Nick Watney testing positive Friday and if the PGA Tour should make any changes to its health and safety protocol.
Watney tested negative Monday with all other players, caddies and Tour personnel, but felt symptoms Friday and was tested again. The Friday test yielded a positive result, forcing Watney to self-isolate and 11 others who had been in close proximity to be tested. All 11 have since tested negative with rapid tests.
DiMeglio said the PGA Tour is also awaiting secondary tests for those 11 close to Watney and for all players and caddies who anticipate taking the Tour chartered flight to Hartford, Connecticut, for next week’s Travelers Championship.
DiMeglio was asked if he foresees any changes to the PGA Tour’s safety plan as the revised Tour season continues.
“It’s like the Constitution of the United States. The great thing about the Constitution of the United States is that it can be changed. It can be amended. (The Tour) can always amend their health plan, their safety and health plan which was 39 pages long to begin with,” DiMeglio said. “I think they’re going to look into whether or not we should allow a player who has experienced symptoms who’s waiting his test results to go onto the golf course.”
Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka were two of the players to see Watney from a distance before Watney withdrew on Friday. Si Woo Kim told DiMeglio he saw Watney at the driving range Friday morning.
For more on the Tour’s first positive COVID-19 test, why DiMeglio thinks so many players are shooting low scores at Harbour Town Golf Links and what to expect in Sunday’s final round, watch our Instagram Live, featured below.
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