Fred Altvater
As Ohio is preparing to welcome both the PGA TOUR and the LPGA Tour for four solid weeks in July and August, it is becoming apparent that, even with the best intentions, efforts at keeping the pros safe from COVID-19 is not a 100% proposition.
Nick Watney and Cameron Champ, as well as, Brooks Koepka’s caddie, Ricky Eliot and Graeme McDowell’s caddie, Ken Comboy, have all tested positive for the coronavirus.
The Korn Ferry Tour has also been hit with player and caddie withdrawals, due to contracting the disease.
It should be noted that these players and caddies were not infected, while at a event. Testing prior to the tournaments found them to be infected and they immediately went into quarantine.
PGA TOUR Commissioner, Jay Monahan, reminded players to take extra caution when away from the golf course, especially when dining out, or traveling.
Monahan said,
“As we look at where we are now, I think we all need to remind ourselves that we’re learning to live with this virus and we all need to learn to live with this virus — as individuals, as family members and certainly within our businesses.”
The tour has made available Whoop fitness watches to PGA TOUR, Korn Ferry Tour and Champions Tour members, but they are not mandatory to monitor vital statistics, including respiratory rates.
The number two player in the world, Koepka withdrew from the Travelers Championship that was to be held at TPC River Highlands outside of Hartford, Connecticut, after Eliot was diagnosed with the disease. Koepka’s younger brother Chase earned a spot in the field by Monday Qualifying, but then withdrew. He was given an exemption into the 2021 event by the tournament committee.
The LPGA Tour is set to finally restart their 2020 season at Inverness, July 31-August 2. The ladies will stay in Toledo for the Marathon Classic to be held the following week August 6-9.
The PGA TOUR has scheduled two events in Columbus, The Workday Charity Open and the Memorial beginning July 9-12.
Even with several cases of COVID-19 popping up on the PGA TOUR, fans will be allowed to be on the grounds for both the LPGA’s Marathon Classic and the PGA TOUR’s Memorial.
Questions remain, however; Will fans be comfortable mingling with other fans at a golf tournament and can the tours guarantee the safety of fans, volunteers, as well as, the players?
