International PGA Tour players can compete without delay in events in the United States, according to a memo sent to players Friday that states that the White House has revoked various quarantine rules put in place due to the coronavirus pandemic for “players, caddy and essential staff. “
But Englishman Lee Westwood will not benefit from the new rules – at least not immediately.
Westwood, who hosted this week’s Betfred Masters in Northumberland, England, said: “I’m even more concerned that America isn’t taking it as seriously as the rest of the world.”
According to the reminder sent by PGA Tour executive Tyler Dennis, players, caddies and essential personnel are now exempt from the quarantine rules “as these groups are subject to COVID-19 testing and screening through rigorous Tour protocols and health during one week of the tournament. This update replaces the 14-day quarantine period currently in effect. “
Caddy, coaches and trainers would also be allowed to participate in the tour events without the necessary quarantine, but would be subject to their country’s travel restrictions on their return home. Spouses or family members would be required to adhere to the quarantine rules.
Numerous international players have yet to return to competition in the PGA Tour due to restrictions, including Adam Scott and Francesco Molinari. British Tommy Fleetwood returned to the 3M Open this week after being quarantined for two weeks in New York.
Westwood, who is in 34th place in the world, had no plans to play in the United States due to the rules. With a 14-day quarantine required, he could not have arrived in time for next week’s WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational and the PGA championship the following week because of his responsibilities in his tournament, the first of the six was nicknamed ” United Kingdom Swing “in the return of the European Tour after almost four months off.
But Westwood said he wouldn’t take advantage of the new edict after the last round on Saturday.
“I still don’t feel comfortable and I don’t feel like it’s right to jump on a plane for 12 hours,” Westwood, 47, told reporters after his ride. “This week I felt out of my comfort zone, so if I were to get to Memphis I would feel uncomfortable playing golf tournaments at the moment.
“I’ve been touring for 28 years and this is a shock to the system, isn’t it? Every time I go out and play tournaments now it’s almost about seeing my teammates and the sociable element of everything and you at the moment I don’t understand it. You finish playing golf and you go to the field. I have never seen so many players on the field at 8 pm trying to avoid their hotel rooms. There is a lot to think about where to actually play.
“It’s not the life I’m used to. I went out on the golf course and I’m struggling a little for motivation. There is much more to consider. The two American tournaments, next week and the following week, I’m still worried that America doesn’t take it seriously (the virus) like the rest of the world It still seems like one of the hotspots for epidemics I can control myself if I don’t take the virus and take all the measures I can, but someone could pass it on. I don’t really want to get sick and I am slightly asthmatic. If I had tried in Memphis I would have had to stay there for two weeks … at the moment there are too many if “.
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