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UPDATE 2:45 p.m.: The Travelers Championship is a GO. The commissioner announced Webb Simpson, Brooks Koepka, and Chase Koepka have all withdrawn out of safety concerns. Here’s what commissioner Jay Monahan had to say about the positive tests:
PGA Tour commish Jay Monahan, citing low number of positive tests so far and expected positives: "We need to learn to live with this virus. This virus isn’t going anywhere. ... You’re going to have more [positive] tests going forward."
— Brian Wacker (@brianwacker1) June 24, 2020
UPDATE 2:14 p.m.: The press conference has been pushed back to 2:30 p.m. ET and now we’ve got more reports saying there could be more cases of positive tests.
Latest update: Sources confirm that around a half-dozen WDs from Travelers are expected, all COVID-19 related in some manner.
— Brian Wacker (@brianwacker1) June 24, 2020
On Thursday, the PGA Tour was set to start its third tournament since restarting its 2019-2020 season amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. That might be changing in short order. Commissioner Jay Monahan is traveling to Connecticut, site of this week’s Travelers Championship to to hold a 2 p.m. ET press conference, per Golf Channel writer Will Gray.
The tournament has had three players withdraw due to either them or their caddie testing positive for Covid-19. Cameron Champ withdrew after he tested positive, while Graeme McDowell and Brooks Koepka withdrew because their respective caddies tested positive. Koepka’s caddy tested positive after Koepka and McDowell had a practice round together on Tuesday. Golf writer Robert Lusetich is reporting the child of another player has also tested positive.
The tournament has not been canceled, but flying up for a press conference after multiple positive tests does not bode well for the tournament’s status. If it gets canceled, the question then becomes how long the PGA Tour shuts down. We’ll find out at 2 p.m. ET.