On Monday, Englishman Sam Horsfield became the second player to withdraw from the upcoming U.S. Open due to a positive coronavirus test.
The 23-year-old confirmed the news and explained he is asymptomatic via a statement he released on Twitter.
— Sam Horsfield (@hr59sam) September 14, 2020
The United States Golf Association added that Rory Sabbatini is replacing Horsfield in the field.
Horsfield, who competed in the 2015, 2016 and 2019 U.S. Opens, will be replaced in the field by Rory Sabbatini, the next alternate as determined by the Official World Golf Ranking as of Aug. 23, 2020. https://t.co/ue6iUSE6R8
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) September 14, 2020
As Bob Harig of ESPN wrote, the PGA Tour went six straight weeks without a confirmed coronavirus case among players or caddies until Scottie Scheffler returned a positive at-home test and withdrew from the U.S. Open on Sunday. The Tour hasn't yet had to postpone or cancel a tournament due to a virus outbreak since play resumed in June.
Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y., is hosting this year's U.S. Open that begins on Thursday. Fans are not permitted to attend the event due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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