Corona-virus breaks through at PGA Tour despite safety protocols

By Rahul Banerji

Just how tenacious an adversary the corona-virus can be was demonstrated on day two of the RBC Heritage tournament in South Carolina, the second event on the resumed PGA Tour.

Since its Covid-enforced break in early March, the Tour had been working towards minimising time and events lost in its schedule. By mid-April, it had come out with an extensive set of safety and testing protocols.

Despite the precautions and the sealed-off environment, it emerged on Friday that a Tour member, Nick Watney, had tested positive for the virus.

The 39-year-old from California travelled from Texas after the Charles Schwab Challenge on his own and not on the chartered flight the Tour has laid on. Giving the corona virus’ ever-rising trend, it was always on the cards it would strike at some point.

Early shock

Yet no one really seemed to expect that happening so soon, at the second event on the resumed schedule even with close to 400 people inside the bubble.

“PGA Tour member Nick Watney has withdrawn from the RBC Heritage prior to the second round after testing positive for COVID-19,” a Tour statement said on day two of the Heritage event.

“On Friday, prior to arriving at the tournament, he indicated he had symptoms consistent with the illness and after consulting with a physician, was administered a test and found to be positive.

“Nick will have the PGA Tour’s full support throughout his self-isolation and recovery period under CDC guidelines.

“For the health and well-being of all associated with the tournament and those within the community, the TOUR has begun implementing its response plan in consultation with medical experts including working with those who may have had close contact with Nick.

“Watney, who travelled privately to Hilton Head Island for the tournament and was not on the PGA Tour-provided charter flight, tested negative upon arrival.

“He is the first PGA Tour member to test positive for Coronavirus. A total of 369 individuals (players, caddies, essential personnel) underwent on-site testing prior to the start of the tournament, with zero positive results.”

Close watch

The PGA Tour was the pace-setter for the golf world, and close attention is being paid to its corona protocols and guidelines.

The LPGA, European and Asian Tours are all scheduled to resume their schedules over the next two months, and will all be watching developments very closely.

As will the domestic Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), which is still keeping its powder dry. This, for now, is a sensible precaution as the corona-virus is picking up pace around the country and any early call will be jumping the gun.

Close quarters habits from years of golf like first-bumps and high-fives were spotted both at Fort Worth and now at Hilton Head. Not to mention the frequent expectoration that seems to be part and parcel of professional sport worldwide.

These are just the small signs that everyone involved with the travelling tour, and not just the players and caddies, will have to create a new way, an approach that caters to the changed environment to stay healthy and keep the corona virus at bat.

Even then, this threat will continue to cast a long shadow. For some time to come.

Also read: PGA Tour to advance schedule; June 11 set as tee-off date