DeChambeau, Rahm Withdraw from Olympics Due to Covid
The coronavirus is continuing to strike at the Olympics, and now has hit the golf portion of the world games.
Late Saturday night, U.S. golfer Bryson DeChambeau was forced to withdraw from the games after testing positive for the coronavirus.
He will be replaced in the field by Patrick Reed, who will fly to Japan immediately following the final round of the 3M Championship.
On Sunday, Jon Rahm tested positive for the coronavirus and was forced to withdraw from the games.
“I’ve been fortunate to represent my country and win a championship for Spain around the world as an amateur. Playing in Tokyo would have given me a chance to win an Olympic gold medal for my country. I would have loved to have been the first Spanish Olympic gold medalist in golf, but unfortunately destiny had other plans. This is a great reminder for all of us that we’re still in a pandemic, things are not over, and we still need to fight together to get through this the best we can. I wish all the great athletes representing Spain the best of luck as they compete in Tokyo, I will be watching and cheering them on from home,” said Rahm in a statement posted on his social media accounts Sunday morning.
Rahm previously tested positive for the virus about a month and a half ago or so, when he was forced to withdraw from The Memorial Tournament.
At that time, Rahm told the media that he was in the process of getting vaccinated.
“I’ve got it all. I had it, I got the antibodies, got the vaccination. I feel invincible at this point,” Rahm said.
Rahm won the U.S. Open a couple of weeks later.
According to ESPN, Rahm will not be replaced in the field.
For golf, the Olympics begin on Wednesday evening (eastern time) at 6:30 p.m. on Golf Channel.