The Spanish Jon Rahm, number three in world golf, was retired on Saturday from Memorial Tournament de PGA when he led by a wide lead after testing positive for covid-19.
“Jon Rahm se ha retirado of the Memorial Tournament after giving positive for COVID-19 “, reported the circuit PGA it’s a statement.
Rahm, who defended the title achieved last year in Muirfield Village (Dublin, Ohio), was going to start Sunday’s last round six strokes clear of the Americans Patrick Cantlay Y Collin Morikawa.
PGA explained that last Monday the Rahm that, because he had close contact with a person infected with coronavirus, I could only compete in the Memorial under a reinforced security protocol, which included daily examinations and restricted access to indoor facilities.
“Rahm has remained asymptomatic” Y “tested negative every day“Until the test that was carried out on Saturday morning at the end of the second round, which could not be concluded the day before due to lack of visibility.
The positive result of that exam was known on Saturday afternoon when Rahm I was back in the field playing the third round, he pointed out the circuit.
The confirmatory test was also positive, which was reported to Rahm immediately after completing his spectacular third round.
The former world number one received the news with shock off the 18th green, leaning forward with your head in your hands and knees and screaming when getting up: “Not again“.
???? The moment when JON RAHM is told that tomorrow he will not be able to win the @MemorialGolf .
⛳️ He had 6 strokes of advantage over his pursuers: Cantlay and Morikawa.
???? You will have to be isolated until two days before the start of the US Open.@carouselpic.twitter.com/wcK9IfTvuj
– Héctor González (@ hectorglez29) June 5, 2021
At a later press conference, Andy Levinson, senior vice president of PGA, did not detail if Rahm have received any vaccine against coronavirus.
The executive estimated that “more than 50” players have completed the vaccination cycle, which includes a period of two weeks after the last dose.
PGA advanced that the player “will have to remain in isolation until Tuesday June 15 “, just two days before the start of the US Open, tournament Grand Slam.
The Rahm positive It is the fourth registered in tournaments of PGA since a year ago the circuit was resumed after the stoppage due to coronavirus, detailed the circuit.
“Obviously very disappointing. It is the worst situation for something like this to happen, “he said. Cantlay, who went on to co-lead the tournament together with Morikawa.
“Today he played very well and it’s a shame. It’s a shame, “he stressed.” I guess we knew this was a possibility when we got back to golf. It is extremely unfortunate. “
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