Memorial tournament leader Jon Rahm withdraws due to positive COVID-19 test

The golfer was on the 18th hole green when he heard the news. He had just equaled the record for this tournament after 54 holes, in addition to having forged a lead of six strokes in the lead.

His dominant performance since the start of the tournament has therefore been reduced to nothing. He had notably made a hole in one in the 16th in the morning to conclude his second round.

The PGA Professional Golfers’ AssociationRahm explained in a statement that Rahm had come into close contact with someone who contracted COVID-19. He had therefore been authorized to participate in the tournament on the condition that he was subjected to a daily screening test.

All test results had been negative from the start, but the one after the second round was not.

Rahm did not experience any symptoms over the weekend. PGA Senior Vice President Andy Levinson, however, was unable to say whether the Spaniard had been vaccinated.

He did however mention that more than 50% of players had received their second dose of the vaccine for at least two weeks.

Due to the protocols put in place by the PGA, Rahm was forced to retire.

His withdrawal left Patrick Cantlay and Collin Morikawa tied for the lead at 204 (-12).

Can’t think of a worse time that this could have happened to him, he played so well today, Cantlay said. It’s such a shame for him.

Cantlay and Scottie Scheffler, who started with Rahm in the third round, were interviewed on Saturday night to determine the appropriateness of conducting contact tracing. Both golfers have already contracted COVID-19, but that was over 90 days ago.

Morikawa was also questioned, since he played with the Spaniard in the morning.

Rahm was looking to become the second golfer, after Tiger Woods, to win the Memorial Tournament twice in a row.

He will now have to be placed in isolation for 10 days. This quarantine period will end on June 15, the Tuesday before the United States Open.

Even if Saturday morning’s result turned out to be a false positive, Rahm would not be able to make the final round. Players who receive a positive diagnosis must present two negative results within 24 hours.

Canada’s Corey Conners handed in a 74 card on Saturday to finish the third round tied for 37th. His compatriot Nick Taylor fell to 51st place.