Golf

Jason Day going solo Saturday at Travelers Championship after negative COVID-19 test

Former world No. 1 Jason Day has been cleared to play the third round of the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Conn., as a single after returning a negative COVID-19 test on Saturday, the PGA Tour has confirmed.

PGA Tour has had 3 players test positive, most recently Denny McCarthy

Jason Day, pictured during second-round play of the Travelers Championship, will play Saturday's third round on his own for precautionary measures after returning a negative coronavirus test. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Former world No. 1 Jason Day has been cleared to play the third round of the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Conn., as a single after returning a negative COVID-19 test on Saturday, the PGA Tour has confirmed.

The PGA Tour said in a statement that Day, who was originally slated to play as part of a threesome, would tee off alone from the 10th hole as a precautionary measure.

Day, who has competed in all three PGA Tour events since the tour's resumption following a three-month break due to the pandemic, missed the cut at the Charles Schwab Challenge and RBC Heritage.

The Australian, who opened with rounds of 67 and 69, was at four-under-par overall after 36 rounds, nine shots behind leader Phil Mickelson.

Nick Watney last week became the first Tour player to test positive, and Cameron Champ did so at a pre-tournament screening this week.

WATCH | Canada's Mackenzie Hughes in contention after 2 rounds:

Mackenzie Hughes 1 back heading into the weekend at Travelers Championship

4 years ago
Duration 1:59
Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., shot a 2-under 68 to sit at 12-under overall, one back of leader Phil Mickelson, after the second round of the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Conn.

World No. 4 Brooks Koepka and Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell withdrew from the Travelers as a precaution after their caddies tested positive. The two golfers tested negative.

Fifth-ranked Webb Simpson opted out after a family member tested positive, while Koepka's brother Chase withdrew as he played a practice round with Brooks and McDowell.

Denny McCarthy, the third golfer on the Tour to return a positive test, withdrew on Friday, while Bud Cauley, who played alongside McCarthy in the opening round, dropped out as a precautionary measure.

"All follow-up tests as a result of potential contact with McCarthy were negative," the PGA Tour added.

WATCH | Phil Mickelson in the lead at Travelers:

Phil Mickelson takes lead into weekend at Travelers Championship

4 years ago
Duration 1:48
Phil Mickelson carded a 7-under 63 to sit at 13-under overall, and will carry a one shot lead into the third round of the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Conn.

Tour says negative test required to play future tourneys

The PGA Tour said Saturday that players, caddies and others will not be allowed on the golf course at the start of a tournament without a negative COVID-19 test.

The change takes effect next week at Detroit Golf Club, where the Rocket Mortgage Classic will be played.

"Over the past three weeks as part of its Return to Golf, the TOUR has been committed to learning from an operational standpoint and adjusting protocols in place in order to mitigate risk and promote the health and safety of all involved, including players, caddies, staff and volunteers," the Tour said in a statement.

The event will be played without spectators.

The change comes after seven players withdrew from this week's Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Conn., following a positive test for the coronavirus or out of caution.

Previously, players, joined by their caddies, could practice outdoors while awaiting their test results in the host city. Now, players and anyone involved with the tournament must have a negative test before they can enter the tournament site.

With files from Field Level Media

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