Three positive tests cause Tour unrest
But the show will go on this weekend in Conn.
CROMWELL, Conn. — The 2020 Travelers Championship will continue as planned this week in Connecticut, despite a golfer and two caddies testing positive for coronavirus.
PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan flew to Connecticut on Wednesday following the positive tests of player Cameron Champ and two caddies, to address the media and fans. He said the event at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell will continue, but the Tour will continue to adjust its safety protocol.
Brooks Koepka, the fourth-ranked golfer in the world, and Graeme McDowell, a former U.S. Open champ withdrew from the Travelers Championship on Wednesday after their caddies tested positive for coronavirus. Their withdrawal follows Cameron Champ, who tested positive Tuesday. Koepka’s brother, who qualified Monday, also withdrew as a precaution, as did No. 5-ranked Webb Simpson, Monahan said.
“This has been a big adjustment for everybody. I think everybody’s intentions have been very good,” Monahan said. “They’ve taken their responsibility seriously. I don’t question that at all. … I think over the first couple weeks we’ve seen some instances where we’ve gotten a little bit lax or away from protocol.”
Koepka tested negative, but thought he should withdraw “out of an abundance of caution.” McDowell’s caddie, Ken Comboy, tested positive but did not travel to Connecticut after showing symptoms over the weekend. McDowell played a practice round Tuesday with the Koepka brothers.
“I’m going to pull out to protect everybody else. I think it’s the right thing to do,” Koepka told GolfWeek. “I don’t want to risk anyone’s life if they have respiratory issues or underlying conditions.”
Koepka told GolfWeek that he, caddie Ricky Elliot and coach Claude Harmon III each tested negative for COVID-19 on Monday. The three took another test on Tuesday after a practice round, and while Koepka and Harmon III tested negative, Elliot tested positive.
Nick Watney was the first golfer to test positive since the Tour resumed its schedule. His test came at last week’s tourney in Hilton Head, S.C.
Golfer Justin Thomas said in an interview Wednesday he’s “not worried” but has been guilty of fist bumping people over the last two weeks, although he has tried to improve.
“The thing that’s most important is just everybody needs to do their part,” Thomas said.