Levy’s quick thinking saves Celtic Classic from Covid disaster

cELTic Manor resort had to close all its bars, restaurants and leisure facilities for a deep clean yesterday after Frenchman Alex Levy became the first player to test positive for covid-19 while inside the European Tour’s bubble.

Levy was withdrawn from the celtic classic being staged at the Ryder cup venue before the start of yesterday’s first round, after he came into contact with a friend in France prior to the event who subsequently tested positive.

Levy had tested negative on arrival at the resort on Monday, before testing positive during a follow-up on Wednesday.

Fellow Frenchman Romain Wattel was also forced to withdraw as a contact of Levy’s, under the test and trace protocols run by the tour and Public Health Wales. Both players will now selfisolate at the resort, where all the players are staying and the tour are hosting back-to-back events.

Levy’s quick thinking might well have saved the tournament, the fourth event of the six-week UK swing, from being cancelled.

He told the tour immediately on discovering his friend’s fate. ‘i wanted to ensure the safety of my fellow professionals and their caddies,’ said Levy.

English player Matt Southgate told Sky Sports:’i think we were all a bit shocked, because the tour have done such a brilliant job. i’ve known Alex for years and it’s good to hear that he seems okay.’

Belgian Thomas Pieters leads following a 64, despite it being his first round for five months. it took him just six holes to shake off the rust, as he played his last 12 in eight under par, for a one-shot lead over Englishman Toby Tree.

Recent tour winner Marc Warren was top Scot after a fine 66.

At the Wyndham championship, Tommy Fleetwood’s 69 left him trailing early leaders Harold Varner, Tom Hoge and Roger Sloan by seven shots in North carolina.

Meanwhile at the ASi Ladies Scottish Open at the Renaissance club near North Berwick, Scot Gemma Dryburgh coped well with a two-hour fog delay followed by difficult, gusty conditions for a 69 that left her two shots off the pace set by Dane Nicole Broch Larsen.

British Open champion Hinako Shibuno from japan could only shoot 79, while carly Booth sunk to an 11-over-par 82.