Not even two rounds of 61 at the Traveler Championship could obscure the ongoing battles – and total confusion – between the PGA Tour and Covid-19.
Webb Simpson, who retired from the tournament after revealing a coronavirus positive family member, plans to play Rocket Mortgage Classic next week. “I am happy to report that the Simpson family has proven negative for Covid-19,” he said.
If this raised the eyebrows, Cameron Champ’s next bulletin took things to another level. Champ had tested positive for coronavirus earlier in the week. But on Saturday, he explained that he has now returned three negative tests in 72 hours. “I felt great all the time and had no symptoms,” said Champ, who added that he was returning home with the obligatory Tour isolation policy apparently no longer relevant. The validity of the tests is very.
Jason Day, meanwhile, requested a Covid-19 check before his third round in Connecticut. It turned negative, but as a precaution the Australian played as a single at the end of the field. Seven players, including Simpson and Champ, had been removed for coronavirus related issues.
The PGA Tour, undoubtedly aware of the growing attention from outside, has strengthened the protocols while the third event of its return reaches out towards its conclusion. “Players and caddies, along with all others” within the bubble “, will not be allowed on the property until they have been eliminated for the first time with a negative test on the market,” said the Tour in a note .
“Previously, players and caddies could be on site to practice while awaiting the results of the arrival tests. The Tour is taking this precaution one step further to add another security measure as no player or caddy will be on site – anywhere – to start the week, without being first authorized by Covid-19’s screening. “
Dustin Johnson, looking for a first win since early 2019, signed for a 61 to gain the 16-point lead. Brendon Todd equaled Johnson’s score on Saturday, which offered the first one a two-stroke lead with 18 holes to play. Rory McIlroy endured a frustrating third day, with her 69 leaving him eight adrift of Todd.
Phil Mickelson’s hopes of becoming only the eighth player to win a PGA Tour event in their 1950s seem abandoned after a 71 brought him back to minus 12. “I’ve lost a lot of cuts,” said Mickelson. “The next thing I know is that my game is starting to come back and I can sense it.”
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