Dylan Frittelli of South Africa and Harris English became the latest players on the PGA Tour to test positive for the Coronavirus and withdrew from the Rocket Mortgage Classic, which begins Thursday at Detroit Golf Club.
Frittelli and English (pictured), who tested positive in pre-tournament screening and have gone into self-isolation, joined Nick Watney, Cameron Champ and Denny McCarthy as those players who have tested positive in the first four weeks of the PGA Tours’s return after it was shut down in March because of the virus.
“While it’s disappointing to receive this news, as I feel healthy, I’m pleased that the new safety protocols we have in place worked this week,” English in a statement. “I fully supported the Tour’s new rule of not allowing anyone on the tournament grounds until testing negative, as protecting others in the field and everyone affiliated with the tournament and the community should be the No. 1 priority as a result of a positive test. I appreciate the Tour’s support and I look forward to competing again after I’m fully recovered.”
Said Frittelli: “I am experiencing no issues and feel great physically and was surprised and disappointed to learn of the positive test today. I’m thankful for the WHOOP strap notification of a minor increase (0.3) in my respiratory rate overnight. However, I’m most thankful for the Tour’s assistance, procedures and protocols, which I will continue to follow during my self-isolation, so as to keep everyone safe. I look forward to getting back on Tour once it’s safe to do so.”
The caddies of Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland and Brooks Koepka tested positive last week, causing McDowell and Koepka to withdraw from the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn., along with Chase Koepka, Brooks’ brother.
The PGA Tour dictated this week ahead of the Rocket Mortgage Classic that players, caddies, officials and all other individuals “inside the bubble,” will not be allowed on the property until first being cleared with a negative in-market test.
Earlier, players were allowed on site to practice as they awaited their arrival testing results, but without access to indoor facilities.
