By Rahul Banerji
A positive test for the Covid-19 virus has ruled world number one Dustin Johnson out of the CJ Cup that gets under way later on Thursday in Las Vegas.
Johnson informed the PGA Tour of the test’s outcome on Wednesday and becomes the second player after Tony Finau to withdraw from the CJ Cup field.
The $9.75 million event has been relocated from its home in Jeju Island, Korea, to Shadow Creek in Las Vegas for this year over travel restrictions.
In a statement, the PGA Tour said, “Dustin Johnson has withdrawn from The CJ Cup @ Shadow Creek after testing positive for COVID-19.
“Experiencing symptoms, Johnson notified PGA Tour officials and was administered a test, with the positive result forcing his withdrawal from the event.
“Johnson, who last competed at the US Open, will have the PGA Tour’s full support throughout his self-isolation period under CDC guidelines.”
In a statement, the FedEx Cup winner said, “Obviously, I am very disappointed. I was really looking forward to competing this week, but will do everything I can to return as quickly as possible.
“I have already had a few calls with the Tour’s medical team and appreciate all the support and guidance they have given me.”
First alternate J.T. Poston will replace Johnson in the field, the Tour added.
McIlroy set to make his mark
Meanwhile, former world no. 1 Rory McIlroy hopes fatherhood will see him to a first victory in nearly a year when he makes his event debut, the Tour said.
Others in the field include defending champion Justin Thomas, 2018 winner Brooks Koepka, 2017 FedEdx Cup winner Justin Rose, Rickie Fowler, Sungjae Im, Byeong Hun An and Collin Morikawa.
McIlroy, an 18-time Tour titleist, has had top-10s at the Tour Championship and US Open since the arrival of his daughter, Poppy, at the end of August.
Following a three-week break, the 31-year-old is recharged and ready to launch a title challenge in Nevada.
“I’ve watched the tournament in Jeju for the last few years and it looked really good, the course looked awesome,” he was quoted as saying on pgatour.com.
“Excited to be here. It’s the first time ever at Shadow Creek and I think everyone else that’s probably come in here before me is probably singing its praises.
‘Cool place’
“It’s such a cool place, it’s a great golf course. I wouldn’t mind if we got to play a Tour event here every year. I’m excited to, after three weeks off, excited to get back at it again.
“It’s a wonderful venue and hopefully I can get out there and play some good golf,” said McIlroy.
cIlroy’s last victory was at the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions in China last November.
“I’ve played two events since becoming a dad and I’ve played pretty well both times, two top-10s,” said McIlroy, currently world no. 4.
“Felt like I had half a chance going into the final day of the US Open but still a couple of decent weeks and feel like my game is at least heading in the right direction.
“I don’t think having a daughter’s going to change how I play. It might change my outlook if I have a bad day and I know I can go back and see my family and have a smile on my face, but I don’t think it’s going to make me play the tournament any differently having a daughter or not.”
Rose is upbeat
Rose is looking to regain his trademark consistency which helped him lift the FedEx Cup title in 2017 and reach world no. 1.
This year, he has played in 15 tournaments worldwide, registering three top-10s and missing eight cuts.
“I’m excited to play. I was kind of looking forward to doing some travelling and seeing Jeju Island and what have you, but pretty excited to play here at Shadow Creek,” the Englishman said.
“I haven’t been here before and I’ve been blown away by the golf course, think it’s absolutely fantastic.
“And based on not my strongest year in the FedEx Cup, it was nice to get a spot courtesy of CJ in the tournament. Grateful to be here and excited for the week,” said the reigning Olympic Games gold medallist.
Also read: Top PGA stars commit to relocated CJ Cup, Zozo C’ship
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