STARS ARE OMAN DRY
Molinari and Gagli get late all-clear in coronavirus scare
EDOARDO MOLINARI last night opened up on a “scary and annoying” coronavirus panic after being cleared last minute to play in Oman.
Molinari and fellow Italian Lorenzo Gagli withdrew from the Oman Open in Muscat on medical grounds on Wednesday.
Gagli was tested for the virus after showing flu-like symptoms and room-mate Molinari was moved to another hotel suite.
When Gagli’s test came back negative the pair were added to the field in the European Tour event and sent out together.
Gagli completed 17 holes in three under while Molinari was one shot worse off when play was suspended due to darkness.
Molinari, brother to 2018 Open champion Francesco, said: “Still shocked by what happened in the last 36 hours.
“I am absolutely fine and so is my good friend Lorenzo. It was a scary and annoying situation because it is not something that was in our hands and there were no certainties at all. The European Tour, the Oman Ministry of Health, the Oman Golf Federation and all their staff did an unbelievable job and they tried everything they could to help us in this awful situation ... thank you all.
“Thank God everything is fine, we are healthy and back to playing golf, which even this morning seemed impossible.”
With the duo among five players yet to complete their rounds, countryman Guido Migliozzi (66) leads by one on six under. Stephen Gallacher is among an eight-strong group two shots back after a 68 that included an eagle three.
But David Law (79) had a day to forget, slumping to second last on seven over after four bogeys and a double in five holes.
● Brooks Koepka crashed out of contention at the Honda Classic after a triple-bogey seven at the sixth in a horror 74.
The world No.3 also carded a double-bogey six on the front nine as he slumped to four over.
Russell Knox is one shot better off in Palm Beach after a 73.