It was bound to happen, and it happened without fans. The first PGA Tour professional to test positive for the Wuhan Corona Virus.
Golf Professional Nick Watney tested positive on Friday for the Wuhan Corona Virus and had to withdraw from the tournament. Thankfully, he is feeling relatively well and has self-quarantined in accordance with “CDC Guidelines”.
Having said all that, I do not get how he tested positive on Friday after testing negative upon arrival to Harbor Town. The virus has a 14-day incubation period which means Watney was either already positive, and the test was faulty, or the Tour dropped the ball royally and now are trying to cover their tracks.
If I am going by the science, I will have to say the Tour screwed up. Otherwise, there is no way Watney could test positive in just a couple of days. I will leave that to the so-called experts, but it should be mentioned these testing kits are not 100% accurate.
I am also curious as to why the Tour disclosed the identity of the player and if this is in violation of HIPAA Privacy Rules.
https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/index.html
For months the PGA Tour, and their television and radio pundits, have been bragging about been the first ones to come back to action after the interruption caused by the Wuhan Corona Virus. Well, they got their wish. Not only they were the first professional tour to come back but got the first positive.
All along the Tour and Commissioner Jay Monahan were reassuring the public, but some things cannot be controlled, and this is one of them. It was bound to happen, and it will happen again and again. The virus will run its course and that is that.
What is next? The Tour has a couple of choices. Either continue the season knowing that it will happen again or cancel the season. I think they should continue the season and they should allow fans back in. Without tracing chips and with tons of common-sense practices.
The Wuhan Corona Virus may become a part of our lives, like the seasonal flu, and that is something the Tour is going to have to grapple with and decide.
Congratulations PGA Tour, you won this Championship.