Covid chaos strikes Olympic golf tournament as USA star Bryson DeChambeau AND Jon Rahm test positive – with Spanish world No 1 forced out of a big competition for the SECOND time in just two months for contracting the virus
Covid chaos has struck the golf tournament at the Tokyo Olympics, with World No 1 Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau both out after positive tests.
DeChambeau tested positive for COVID-19 before his departure for the Tokyo Olympics and will be replaced in Team USA’s men’s golf team by Patrick Reed, USA Golf confirmed on Sunday, while there is no time to find a replacement for Rahm.
Reed will join the team in Japan after the completion of the required testing protocols, with the first round of the competition to begin on Thursday at Kasumigaseki Country Club.
‘I am deeply disappointed not to be able to compete in the Olympics for Team USA,’ DeChambeau said in a statement.
The golf competition at the Tokyo Olympics has suddenly been thrown into Covid-19 chaos
Spanish golfer and World No 1 Jon Rahm (pictured ) will miss the games due to a positive test
Bryson DeChambeau will play no part at the Tokyo Olympics after testing positive for Covid
DeChambeau is to be replaced by Patrick Reed, who faces a race against time to get to Tokyo
‘Representing my country means the world to me and it is was a tremendous honour to make this team. I wish Team USA the best of luck next week in Tokyo.
‘I will now focus on getting healthy, and I look forward to returning to competition once I am cleared to do so.’
Reed, winner of the 2018 Masters, completes a strong squad for the United States that also features recently crowned British Open champion Collin Morikawa as well as 2017 PGA Championship winner Justin Thomas and Xander Schauffele.
DeChambeau talked up a ‘tremendous honour’ to represent his country but will now miss out
‘I am so excited to have the opportunity to represent our country and be a part of Team USA in Tokyo,’ said Reed.
‘I wish Bryson nothing but the best, and I know how disappointed he is to not be able to compete, and I will do my best to play my best and represent our country.’
‘We’re obviously disappointed for Bryson, as we know how much he was looking forward to representing the United States in his first Olympics,’ said Andy Levinson, USA Golf Executive Director.
Team USA have a star-studded line-up which includes The Open champion Collin Morikawa
‘But we’re thrilled that Patrick Reed is excited to play for his country when he is called upon.
‘Even with the strenuous testing protocols and he is set to arrive just in time to compete – on a golf course he will have never seen prior to the start of competition.
‘It really illustrates the importance of the Olympics and the value Patrick places on playing for Team USA and for his country. We’re excited to welcome him to Tokyo soon and know he’ll be a formidable competitor for Team USA.’
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