Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the Travelers Championship after his caddie Ricky Elliott tested positive for COVID-19.
“I’m going to pull out to protect everybody else. I think it’s the right thing to do,” Koepka told Golfweek. “I don’t want to risk anyone’s life if they have respiratory issues or underlying conditions. The only way this Tour can continue is if guys to do this sort of thing and be proactive about it.”
Elliott had tested positive Wednesday morning, according to the report, after testing negative when arriving in Connecticut on Monday.
Elliott, Koepka and Koepka’s coach Claude Harmon III went for additional testing after playing a practice round with Graeme McDowell on Tuesday. McDowell withdrew from the tournament after learning his caddie, Ken Comboy, had tested positive, although Comboy had not made the trip to TPC River Highlands.
Koepka told Golfweek his test came back negative.
Koepka is the third player this week to withdraw from the Travelers in connection with the virus. While Koepka and McDowell were voluntary WDs, Cameron Champ was forced out of the competition after his test came back positive on Tuesday afternoon.
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan confirmed that Koepka had officially withdraw from the tournament out of caution after his caddie tested positive for COVID-19. Additionally, Chase Koepka, Brooks’ younger brother, has also withdraw from the tournament as has Webb Simpson. Both player tested negative for COVID-19 at this week’s tournament but have withdrawn “out of an abundance of caution,” according to Monahan.
“Despite being very excited about playing the Travelers Championship, I am electing to withdraw,” Chase Koepka said. “My team and I have all tested negative for COVID-19; however, I was in close contact with someone who tested positive. I feel as if this is the best decision to keep all other players, caddies and volunteers safe. I wish everyone the best of luck this week.”
“In the last 24 hours, I had a family member test positive for COVID-19,” Simpson said. “While my tests this week were negative, I feel like it is my responsibility to take care of my family and protect my peers in the field by withdrawing from the Travelers Championship. I am going to return home to Charlotte and quarantine under CDC guidelines, and I look forward to returning to competition after that time period.”
