Mccarthy latest golfer to contract COVID-19
Denny Mccarthy withdrew from the Travelers Championship on Friday after becoming the third PGA Tour player to test positive for COVID-19.
Mccarthy shot a 3-underpar 67 during the first round on Thursday, when he was paired with Bud Cauley and Matt Wallace. Mccarthy also played in the first two events following the tour’s hiatus due to COVID-19, finishing 66th at the Charles Schwab Challenge and missing the cut at the RBC Heritage.
“I was feeling pretty tired and sore after the round yesterday but didn’t think much of it because I had practised a lot Monday to Wednesday,” Mccarthy said. “Last night, I woke up in the middle of the night with additional aches and soreness and sensed something was off. I felt like the only thing to do was get tested at that point before I went to the course.”
Mccarthy became the sixth player to withdraw from the Travelers due to the coronavirus and must self- isolate for at least 10 days, per tour protocols.
He was later joined by Cauley, who withdrew from the tournament as a precautionary measure despite testing negative on two occasions Friday.
“I’m very thankful I have tested negative but have decided to withdraw out of an abundance of caution for my peers and everyone involved with t he t ournament,” Cauley said.
Cameron Champ withdrew after testing positive earlier this week, and Brooks Koepka and Graeme Mcdowell withdrew after their caddies tested positive. Koepka’s younger brother, Chase, withdrew out of an
“abundance of caution” because he played a practice round alongside his brother, Mcdowell and the two infected caddies.
Webb Simpson also withdrew on Wednesday after a family member recently tested positive. Mccarthy’s caddy, Derek Smith, tested negative on Friday.
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan commended Mccarthy and Cauley for their quick thinking in regard to their health, as well as the health of others.
“Denny has our full support as he self- isolates here in Hartford and recovers, and I know I speak for the entire TOUR membership in thanking him for doing the right thing in requesting an additional test before heading to the golf course today,” Monahan said. “What Denny, Bud and others are demonstrating is exactly what we asked of everyone — continue to do your part in taking this virus seriously and keeping not only your own health as a priority, but also that of your fellow competitors and those you may come in contact with.
“Today’s update again demonstrates our rigorous and quick testing, contact tracing capabilities and overall healthy and safety protocols. We will continue to liaise directly with local and state government and health officials this week and throughout our Return to Golf.”
After the tour resumed at the Charles Schwab Challenge with no positive tests, Nick Watney became the first player to test positive, withdrawing ahead of the RBC Heritage.
Monahan issued a new set of protocols Wednesday aimed at limiting the spread of the coronavirus on the tour.
Speaking at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn. — site of this week’s Travelers Championship — Monahan said that 2,757 COVID- 19 tests had been administered so far between the PGA Tour and the second-tier Korn Ferry Tour, and that seven had returned positive as of Wednesday.
“It’s a low number, and it’s a low number on a percentage basis. But every number hurts,” Monahan said. “It’s pretty clear that this virus isn’t going anywhere.”