The PGA Tour revealed that Cameron Champ is the second player to test positive for Covid-19 since the season restarted just over two weeks ago in Fort Worth, Texas, at the Charles Schwab Challenge.
According to a PGA Tour statement, Champ withdrew from this week’s Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Conn., after discovering his positive test result.
“I feel great physically and I was obviously surprised and disappointed to learn of the test result,” Champ said in the statement. “It’s important now to take the necessary steps and measures to protect others, including my loved ones.”
Nick Watney became the first Tour player to test positive for Covid-19 at last week’s RBC Heritage. After receiving a negative test result before play began, Watney reported experiencing symptoms on Friday and was quickly retested. After receiving his positive result, he withdrew from the tournament, having only played one competitive round.
Contract tracing for players who came into contact with Watney during the three days he was onsite began immediately. Eleven players who had been in close contact with Watney were retested, including Watney’s playing partners on Thursday, Vaughn Taylor and Luke List. All eleven of the contacts who were tested were negative. Champ was not in the field at last week’s RBC Heritage, but contract tracing will begin immediately for people he came in contact with since arriving on site in Connecticut.
Per the PGA Tour’s Health and Safety Plan, players who test positive are expected to self-isolate for at least 10 days. At the end of that period, if the player is symptom-free and has two negative tests with at least 24 hours between them, he can return to the Tour. Players in self-isolation will also receive a stipend for the costs associated with self-isolation.
