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Webb Simpson has joined a growing group of players that have withdrawn from the Travelers Championship. Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Webb Simpson, Chase Koepka withdraw from Travelers Championship; tournament still on

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 6/24/20

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:

As we sit here right now @BKoepka is still in the @TravelersChamp field w/ his caddie having re-tested negative for COVID-19 after testing positive earlier in day. It looks however like BK may WD anyway amidst the confusion. Weird day
— NYPost_Cannizzaro (@MarkCannizzaro) June 24, 2020

Monahan explained that Chase Koepka and Simpson both produced negative on-site tests but withdrew out of caution:

Tour confirms positive tests for Cameron Champ, Graeme McDowell's caddie Ken Comboy and Brooks' caddie Ricky Elliott. Also confirms that Webb Simpson, Chase Koepka have WD'd. Both tested negative but they did so out of caution.
— Brian Wacker (@brianwacker1) June 24, 2020

Overview of recent WDs from the Travelers Championship (chronological order):

Cameron Champ
Graeme McDowell
Brooks Koepka
Webb Simpson
Chase Koepka

PGA TOUR statement: pic.twitter.com/v9PeCVXmxO
— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) June 24, 2020

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:

Jay Monahan on the consequences for those in the PGA Tour bubble who don’t adhere to the current rules: “All of us have an extraordinary responsibility to follow those protocols. For any individual who doesn’t, there will be serious repercussions.”
— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelTAN) June 24, 2020

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.

Monahan confirms (limited) fans at the Memorial in 3 weeks is still a go. "We're looking forward to re-introducing fans the week of Memorial" but will only do so if it's a healthy and safe environment for all parties.
— Will Gray (@WillGrayGC) June 24, 2020

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.

Zac Wassink is a football and futbol aficionado who is a PFWA member and is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment. Erik Lamela and Eli Manning apologist. Chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. Whoops. You can find him on Twitter at @ZacWassink.

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