Webb Simpson, Chase Koepka withdraw from Travelers Championship; tournament still on
On Wednesday, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan confirmed that Webb Simpson and Chase Koepka added their names to the list of players who pulled out from this week's Travelers Championship held at TPC River Highlands in Hartford, Conn. due to COVID-19 concerns.
Cameron Champ became the first player to withdraw on Tuesday after the tour confirmed he tested positive for the coronavirus. Earlier today, both Graeme McDowell and Brooks Koepka removed themselves from the tournament after caddies tested positive.
Mark Cannizzaro of the New York Post tweeted that Brooks' caddie, Ricky Elliott, later posted a negative result. Monahan did not confirm that story when speaking with reporters:
Monahan explained that Chase Koepka and Simpson both produced negative on-site tests but withdrew out of caution:
As Action Network's Jason Sobel wrote, Monahan said Tour players who don't follow protocols regarding social-distancing and other safety guidelines down the road will face "serious repercussions" for endangering tournaments and, possibly, the season:
Monahan also said that he still intends for up to 8,000 spectators to attend the Jack Nicklaus Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Ohio from July 16-19, but, like every Tour situation, that is subject to change.
The Memorial is the first event on the Tour schedule to welcome fans since it suspended play in March due to the uncontrolled virus outbreak.
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