Jon Rahm To Withdraw From Olympics After Positive COVID Test
Jon Rahm has been forced to withdraw for a second time because of a positive COVID-19 test.
Rahm's positive came in the final round of testing protocols ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, meaning the top player in the world will not compete in his first Games for Spain, CBS Sports reports.
Joe Pompliano reports that Rahm received the vaccine over 7 weeks ago and has since has tested positive for COVID-19 on two separate times occasions.
The first test resulted in him missing out on a $1.7 million payday at the Memorial Tournament when he had to forfeit on June 5 — and remained in isolation until June 15 — after testing positive during the contract-tracing protocols for coming in close contact with a known positive COVID case, the PGA Tour said last month.
Rahm will also miss the Olympics after testing positive for COVID-19, the Spanish Olympic committee announced. He will not be replaced.
"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," Rahm said Sunday in a statement. "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."
There is not enough time to get a replacement for Rahm, according to the Spanish Olympic Committee — Adri Arnaus is the other Spanish team member, leaving the field in Tokyo at 59 golfers.
Rahm said in June that he was vaccinated when he tested positive at the Memorial but still in the two-week waiting period.
He isn't the only top golfer out due to COVID, though. After a reported final round of COVID testing prior to leaving for Tokyo, Team USA golfer Bryson DeChambeau was forced to miss the sit-out of the games after testing positive for the virus, as well.
CBS Sports reports that Open Championship winner Team USA's Collin Morikawa is now the favorite to win the Olympics followed by fellow Americans Xander Schauffele and Justin Thomas. Ireland's Rory McIlroy, Japan's Hideki Matsuyama and Norway's Viktor Hovland are just beyond those top three on the odds board.
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