NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Dustin Johnson, the world’s top-ranked professional golfer, withdrew from this week’s CJ Cup after testing positive for the coronavirus, the PGA Tour said Tuesday.
According to the PGA Tour, Johnson, 36, had been experiencing symptoms and took a test. Players are tested prior to traveling each week and at the Tour stops on site as part of the PGA Tour’s COVID-19 testing protocols, ESPN reported.
“Obviously, I am very disappointed,” Johnson, a 23-time PGA Tour winner, said in a statement about being unable to compete at Shadow Creek. “I was really looking forward to competing this week but 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.”
According to Johnson’s agent, David Winkle, the golfer arrived in Las Vegas on Friday night, Golfweek reported. After playing a different course, Johnson tested negative for COVID-19 on Sunday morning, the magazine reported.
However, Johnson began experiencing symptoms later in the day and had congestion and a mild cough. When Johnson woke up Tuesday, he still had symptoms and went to an off-site testing center, ESPN reported.
Johnson will be replaced in the 78-player field in the CJ Cup by first alternate J.T. Poston, the PGA Tour said.
Since the PGA Tour returned to action in June after a 13-week layoff, 10 players have tested positive for COVID-19 on-site, Golfweek reported. Two other golfers have tested positive at home, according to the magazine.
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