Covid-19 drama rocks RBC Heritage
NICK Watney has become the first golfer to test positive for Covid-19 as the game’s trouble-free progress following the 91-day lockdown came to a disturbing end at the RBC Heritage tournament in South Carolina.
Watney was feeling unwell with coronavirus symptoms when he arrived at the course before Friday’s second round and sought medical attention. He withdrew from the event following the positive test.
In accordance with PGA Tour policy, he will have to self-isolate for at least 10 days, and the fact he lives 2 250 miles away in Las Vegas means it will likely be near the tournament at Hilton Head.
The tour’s health protocols meant a track and trace policy went into operation.
Among the players Watney texted was Rory Mcilroy, after they had shared a conversation on the putting green, but the Northern Irishman was not worried. “We kept our social distance,” he insisted.
Watney’s playing partners, fellow Americans Luke List and Vaughn Taylor, went straight for testing after being allowed to play their second rounds. “I’m feeling a bit nervous and my heart is racing,” said Taylor.
World No 3 Brooks Koepka will have a test as well after admitting he stood next to Watney in the car park before his second round.
A tour statement said: “The tour has begun implementing its response plan. Watney was not on the PGA Tour chartered flight and travelled privately to Hilton Head.”
There were no positive results from the first event in Texas last week and none from the 369 players, caddies and essential personnel who were tested on Monday.
The sombre news overshadowed an intriguing day’s play, where the most talked about man in golf simply added to the conversation with another eye-catching display.
All the post-lockdown chat so far about Bryson Dechambeau had concerned the ton of weight he’s put on and the distance he’s added with his driver. But what he’s showing on the trickiest, tightest course on the PGA Tour will have tongues wagging with renewed ferocity. |