Nick Watney tested positive for COVID-19. What’s next for the Heritage and for him?
The PGA Tour’s first positive COVID-19 test of the restarted 2020 season happened this week at Hilton Head Island. Now what?
For Nick Watney, who tested positive Friday morning for the coronavirus, he’ll rest and work to get better through a “self-isolation and recovery period under CDC guidelines,” according to the PGA Tour.
For the RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing, there are two more rounds of golf to play Saturday and Sunday — all while continuing the PGA Tour’s strict health protocols for anyone who enters Harbour Town Golf Links.
“Nick will have the PGA Tour’s full support throughout his self-isolation and recovery period under CDC guidelines,” the tour said in a statement Friday. “For the health and well-being of all associated with the tournament and those within the community, the Tour has begun implementing its response plan in consultation with medical experts, including working with those who may have had close contact with Nick.”
The Heritage is the tour’s second tournament back after a months-long hiatus due to coronavirus. Professional golf has become a guinea pig of sorts, being among the earliest major sports to return.
Early events are closed to spectators, hand sanitizing stations mark entrances to practice areas and indoor spaces, player dining is grab-and-go and numerous signs remind people to social distance.
Players were tested for coronavirus upon arrival at the tournament early in the week. They had to take another test last week before boarding a flight the tour chartered for players to Hilton Head as an extra safety measure.
Watney flew privately to Hilton Head and wasn’t on the tour’s charter flight, the PGA statement said. He had tested negative after arriving.
The tests administered after Watney’s positive test all came back negative, the PGA Tour said Saturday morning.
“With Friday’s confirmed COVID-19 case of a competitor in the RBC Heritage field, the PGA Tour implemented its response plan in consultation with medical experts including working with those who may have had close contact with Nick Watney. As a result, 11 tests were conducted on Friday with all 11 tests being negative,” a Tour statement said.
Watney must have written medical clearance from a doctor before being allowed to take part in future PGA Tour activities.
“The PGA Tour Emergency COVID-19 plan includes detailed procedures and support to isolate that individual as quickly as possible,” according to the tour’s “positive test/quarantine protocol.” “The plan includes access to appropriate medical care and an environment in which the participant could quarantine for up the 14 days after diagnosis with assistance to meet daily needs. A disinfecting/decontaminating response will be implemented to ensure all possible items and surfaces touched by the infected individual are quickly cleaned.”
Watney consulted with a doctor about symptoms consistent with the virus before arriving at the golf course Friday for the second round of the RBC Heritage. A new test showed him to be positive. Tour officials have begun investigating who Watney has had close contact with at and around the tournament.
In all, the tour said it tested 369 players, caddies and other personnel before the tournament without a positive result. The tour declined further comment Friday and asked for privacy for Watney and his family.
Watney played with Vaughn Taylor and Luke List on Thursday. The 39-year-old shot a 3-over 74 before withdrawing from the tournament.
Golfer Matthew NeSmith, who was informed of Watney’s positive test during a TV interview, praised the protocols in place by the PGA.
“The tour has done a great job,” Nesmith said. “There’s nothing else you can really say.”
The full PGA Tour statement on Nick Watney
“PGA TOUR member Nick Watney has withdrawn from the RBC Heritage prior to the second round after testing positive for COVID-19. On Friday, prior to arriving at the tournament, he indicated he had symptoms consistent with the illness and after consulting with a physician, was administered a test and found to be positive.
Nick will have the PGA TOUR’s full support throughout his self-isolation and recovery period under CDC guidelines. For the health and well-being of all associated with the tournament and those within the community, the TOUR has begun implementing its response plan in consultation with medical experts including working with those who may have had close contact with Nick.
Watney, who traveled privately to Hilton Head Island for the tournament and was not on the PGA TOUR-provided charter flight, tested negative upon arrival. He is the first PGA TOUR member to test positive for Coronavirus. A total of 369 individuals (players, caddies, essential personnel) underwent on-site testing prior to the start of the tournament, with zero positive results.
The PGA TOUR will have no additional comment at this time and we ask media and fans to respect the privacy of Nick and his family.”
This story was originally published June 19, 2020 at 5:26 PM.
