Virus scare

Italian pair overcome health fear to shine in Oman.

Lorenzo Gagli and Edoardo Molinari made impressive starts to the Oman Open yesterday – despite being given the all-clear only at the last minute following a coronavirus scare.

Both players had withdrawn from the European Tour event in Muscat on medical grounds on Wednesday. Gagli was tested for the virus after exhibiting flu-like symptoms and room-mate Molinari was moved to another hotel room.

When Gagli’s test came back negative the Italian pair, who had been replaced by Joel Sjoholm and Louis De Jager, were added to the field and sent out together at 1330 local time.

Gagli completed 17 holes in three under par and Molinari was two under when play was suspended due to darkness, with another three players yet to complete their opening rounds.

In a statement on Twitter, Molinari wrote: “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 we are back to playing golf, which even this morning seemed impossible.

“I will not release any other comments on the issue and I am sure you will all respect my privacy. Thanks for everyone who reached out to me, I truly appreciate that.”

European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley said in a statement: “This is a difficult global situation, one during which we will continue to follow all guidance given to us on preventive measures, and all decisions will continue to be made in the interests of overall public health.

“We will also continue to work closely with our own health experts and local authorities to ensure we have the latest medical and travel advice for all our tournaments, because the well-being of our players, staff and spectators remains the European Tour’s absolute priority.”

Italy’s Guido Migliozzi holds the clubhouse lead on six under par following a bogey-free 66, with Brandon Stone, Rasmus Hojgaard and Taehee Lee on five under.

Andy Sullivan, Victor Dubuisson, Ross Fisher and Stephen Gallacher are among an eight-strong group on four under.

Scot Grant Forrest is two under and three shots farther back are Drumoig’s Connor Syme, Richie Ramsay, Calum Hill and Scott Jamieson.

Paul Lawrie is two over, while David Drysdale carded a 75. David Law is seven over after a disappointing opening round of 79.

Edoardo Molinari tweeted his thanks. He was two under par when play was suspended due to darkness.