[Golf Topic] PGA Tour "Multiple Positive Cases"... "What About the Gallery?"

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] ○..."What about the gallery?"

As new COVID-19 cases continue to surge in the PGA Tour, the decision to allow spectators at the Memorial Tournament (total prize money $9.3 million) has sparked controversy. The tournament, opening on the 17th of next month at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio (par 72), marks the first time the PGA Tour has permitted gallery attendance since resuming play amid the COVID-19 pandemic. However, attendance is limited to only 8,000 people per day, which is just 20% of the maximum capacity.

Temperature checks and mandatory mask-wearing are basic requirements upon entry. The usual way of following favorite players around the course is also prohibited. Instead, designated viewing areas of fixed size are set up at each hole for spectators to watch the competition. The problem is the recent sharp increase in COVID-19 cases in the United States. On the 25th alone, a staggering 36,800 new cases were reported. The PGA Tour is also on high alert after two players, Nick Watney and Cameron Champ (both from the U.S.), and two caddies tested positive.

World No. 4 Brooks Koepka (U.S.) withdrew from the Travelers Championship held on the 26th at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut, due to his caddie Ricky Elliott testing positive. This came right after a practice round with Graeme McDowell (Northern Ireland). McDowell and Webb Simpson (U.S.), who won last week’s RBC Heritage, were also included in the concern. According to an urgent online survey conducted by Yahoo Sports, 62% of golf fans expressed opposition to allowing spectators.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.