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The Gutting Moment Golfer Jon Rahm Was Told Of Positive COVID-19 Test While He Was Leading PGA Tour Event

The Gutting Moment Golfer Jon Rahm Was Told Of Positive COVID-19 Test While He Was Leading PGA Tour Event

The gutting news was delivered to Jon Rahm live on TV when he was set to win the tournament.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Golfer Jon Rahm was crestfallen after he was told he had tested positive for COVID-19 on live TV during a tournament he looked poised to win.

The 26-year-old was in fine form during the Memorial Tournament and had a massive six-stroke lead after three rounds going into the final 18 holes on Saturday.


The Spaniard looked seriously good value to join Tiger Woods as the second repeat winner but was left absolutely gutted as during the live broadcast on CBS, a PGA official told him his latest coronavirus test had come back positive.

Rahm wiped away tears and nearly sunk to his knees in monumental disappointment and uttered the words, "No way, not again!" as he was ushered away from the 18th green and immediately forced to withdraw from the competition in line with PGA Tour protocol.

His unfortunate exit from the tournament, meant he missed out on a whopping £1.1million prize from the Muirfield Village Club event.

Rahm had returned a series of negative tests after coming into contact with someone who tested positive, but his latest result brought the bad news while he was on the course.

A PGA statement explained: "Rahm has tested negative every day, but his most recent test - which was performed after the conclusion of his second round (rain delayed) and before the start of his third round - returned positive at approximately 4:20 p.m. ET while Rahm was on the golf course. The PGA TOUR's medical advisor requested a confirmatory test on the original sample, which came back at 6:05 p.m. ET, and was also positive.

"The PGA TOUR's medical advisor notified Rahm immediately upon completion of his round, and under TOUR protocols, he will be withdrawn from the competition. Rahm is now in isolation, and in accordance with CDC guidelines, he will need to remain in isolation through Tuesday, June 15.

"While this is an incredibly unfortunate situation, throughout 50 events since the PGA TOUR's Return to Golf, there have been only four positive tests (including Rahm) within competition; Rahm is the first positive, asymptomatic case as part of the TOUR's routine, contact-tracing protocols."

The world number three himself issued a statement on Twitter on Saturday, commenting: "I'm very disappointed in having to withdraw from the Memorial Tournament. This is one of those things that happens in life, one of those moments where how we respond to a setback defines us as people.

"I'm very thankful that my family and I are all OK. I will take all of the necessary precautions to be safe and healthy, and I look forward to returning to the golf course as soon as possible."

Rahm has not showed any coronavirus symptoms and will be hoping to return to action at the U.S Open, just two days after his isolation period ends.

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Topics: Golf, Covid-19