Johnson positive for virus
Top-ranked golfer in world withdraws from PGA Tour event
NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Dustin Johnson became the most prominent player to test positive for the coronavirus since golf resumed in June, forcing him to withdraw Tuesday from the CJ Cup at Shadow Creek.
The PGA Tour said in a statement that Johnson notified officials he was experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and was given another test that came back positive.
Johnson is the top-ranked player in the world and the reigning PGA Tour player of the year after winning the FedEx Cup for the first time. He hasn’t played since he tied for sixth last month at the U.S. Open.
‘‘Obviously, I am very disappointed,’’ Johnson said in a statement. ‘‘I was really looking forward to competing this week, but I will do everything I can to return as quickly as possible. I have already had a few calls with the tour’s medical team and appreciate all the support and guidance they have given me.’’
Johnson did not return a phone call seeking comment.
Johnson is the 12th player to test positive at a tournament or at home since the PGA Tour resumed its schedule June 8. The tour said a small number of players tested positive at home and chose to keep it private.
The news comes one week after Tony Finau, the 16th-ranked player in the world, tested positive with minor symptoms and withdrew from the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in Las Vegas.
Johnson holds the course record at Shadow Creek after its latest renovation, posting a 7-under-par 65 five years ago while playing with hockey great Wayne Gretzky, the father of Johnson’s partner, Paulina Gretzky.
Still to be determined is wheth
er Johnson will be able to play in the Zozo Championship at Sherwood next week in Thousand Oaks, California. Johnson is a member at Sherwood Country Club, where he spends a lot of time with Gretzky.
‘‘He was really, really looking forward to these two weeks,’’ said David Winkle, Johnson’s manager.
Winkle said Johnson came out to Las Vegas early to practice and received a negative test Sunday.
‘‘But then he started experiencing symptoms later that night,’’ Winkle said. ‘‘He took it easy on Monday and thought maybe he was
coming down with a cold. He had a little chest congestion. He went back and was tested this morning.’’
Under PGA Tour protocols, which are based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, Johnson is to self-isolate for 10 days dating to when he first experienced symptoms and can return if there are no other symptoms.
That would leave open the possibility of Johnson playing next week at Sherwood, provided he would want to do so without being able to prepare.
Most of the best players in the world are in Las Vegas and California for two weeks as part of their preparations for the Masters, which will he held Nov. 12-15. Johnson is scheduled to play in the Houston Open on Nov. 5-8.