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ST. ANDREWS, Scotland – (dpa) – Masters champions Hideki Matsuyama and Bubba Watson had to withdraw from the British Open on Sunday.
Matsuyama tested positive for coronavirus ahead of the second round of the Rocket Mortgage Classic on July 2 and has been self-isolating since then. He is currently symptom-free, but subsequent tests have continued to show positive results, British Open organizer R&A said.
Hours later, Watson was forced to withdraw after being identified as a close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.
“While I have been vaccinated and passed the required COVID test before the trip, not enough time has passed to comfortably take the charter flight and risk the risk to the other players and staff on board,” Watson said in a statement Twitter.
American golfers Harold Varner and Brandon Steele have been removed from the reserve list and will be playing at Royal St. George’s next week.
A total of nine players have now withdrawn from the British Open for various reasons.
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