Jon Rahm stepped off the 18th green at The Memorial Tournament on Saturday believing he would be heading into the final round with a six-shot lead.
It was then that he received bad news: He had tested positive for Covid-19, and would be forced to withdraw from the tournament.
Incredibly, the moment Rahm was told about the positive test was captured live on television. The Spaniard was understandably shocked by the news.
The moment Rahm was told walking off 18. pic.twitter.com/JNRr6aSpzP
— Cameron Cox (@CamCox12) June 5, 2021
Surreal TV moment as six-stroke leader Jon Rahm learns he tested positive for COVID and Jim Nantz tries to make sense of it without knowing what Rahm's been told pic.twitter.com/WvD6LmAlxs
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) June 5, 2021
The 26-year-old had been the subject of daily Covid-19 tests after being informed earlier in the week that he had come into close contact with a person who had tested positive for the virus. Those tests had come back negative until the test which was performed at the end of the rain delayed second round. He must now remain in isolation until June 15th.
Rahm, who was the defending champion, had shot an eight-under 64, moving him to 18-under for the tournament. His withdrawal leaves Collin Morikawa and Patrick Cantlay as joint leaders on 12-under.
PGA Tour statement on Jon Rahm testing positive for Covid-19
"On the evening Monday, May 31, the PGA TOUR notified Jon Rahm that he was subject to contact-tracing protocols, as he had come in close contact with a person who was COVID positive," the PGA Tour said in a statement.
"Per the TOUR's COVID Health & Safety Plan, Rahm was given the option to remain in the competition and enter our tracing protocol, which includes daily testing and restricted access to indoor facilities. Rahm has remained asymptomatic.
"Rahm has tested negative every day, but his most recent test—which was performed after the conclusion of his second round (rain delayed) and before the start of his third round — returned positive at approximately 4:20 p.m. ET while Rahm was on the golf course. The PGA TOUR's medical advisor requested a confirmatory test on the original sample, which came back at 6:05 p.m. ET, and was also positive.
"The PGA TOUR's medical advisor notified Rahm immediately upon completion of his round, and under TOUR protocols, he will be withdrawn from the competition. Rahm is now in isolation, and in accordance with CDC guidelines, he will need to remain in isolation through Tuesday, June 15.
"While this is an incredibly unfortunate situation, throughout 50 events since the PGA TOUR's Return to Golf, there have been only four positive tests (including Rahm) within competition; Rahm is the first positive, asymptomatic case as part of the TOUR's routine, contact-tracing protocols."
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