Runaway leader Jon Rahm withdraws from Memorial after positive Covid test
about 4 years in The Irish Times
Jon Rahm has had to withdraw from the Memorial Tournament after testing positive for Covid-19.
Spaniard Rahm had fired a sensational 64 on Saturday to establish a six-shot advantage at the top of the leaderboard before being informed at the end of his round that he must withdraw from the tournament.
A PGA Tour statement read: “On the evening Monday, May 31, the PGA Tour notified Jon Rahm that he was subject to contact-tracing protocols, as he had come in close contact with a person who was Covid positive.
“Per the Tour’s Covid Health & Safety Plan, Rahm was given the option to remain in the competition and enter our tracing protocol, which includes daily testing and restricted access to indoor facilities. Rahm has remained asymptomatic.
“Rahm has tested negative every day, but his most recent test – which was performed after the conclusion of his second round (rain delayed) and before the start of his third round – returned positive at approximately 4.20pm (local time) while Rahm was on the golf course.
“The PGA Tour’s medical adviser requested a confirmatory test on the original sample, which came back at 6.05pm, and was also positive.”
Rahm was notified immediately after the round. He will be in isolation until Tuesday, June 15th, two days before the start of the US Open at Torrey Pines in San Diego.
The PGA Tour also said there have been only four positive tests (including Rahm) within competition over the past 50 tournaments, though Rahm is the first positive, asymptomatic case.
Collin Morikawa and Patrick Cantlay are now the co-leaders at 12 under.
Shane Lowry is in a share of 10th position after a level-par 72 saw him remain on four under, while Rory McIlroy is on one under after he carded a one-under 71 in his third round.