CROMWELL, Conn. — Chase Koepka, the youthful brother of Brooks Koepka, has been guaranteed a spot in the discipline of the 2021 Tourists Championship, The Put up uncovered on Thursday.
Chase, who at 26 several years aged is 4 yrs young than Brooks, the No. 4-ranked player in the earth who owns four key championships, earned a spot into the event this week at TPC River Highlands by Monday qualifying, surviving a 5-guy playoff for two spots.
But Wednesday, right after it was discovered that Brooks’ caddie, Ricky Elliott, had analyzed favourable for COVID-19, equally Brooks and Chase withdrew from the event as a precaution. For Brooks, since of his lofty position, the withdrawal was not a key offer. To Chase, who does not have any participating in position and has played in only a handful of PGA Tour gatherings, it was a crushing blow. A person good general performance on the PGA Tour for a participant like Chase can modify his life.
Travelers match director Nathan Grube told The Put up on Thursday that he achieved out to Chase and told him he “earned’’ his way in and that, “if he wants it following year’’ he’ll have a certain place in the 2021 Travelers.
Shane Lowry was in the thick of the COVID-19 vortex on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Vacationers Championship.
On Tuesday, the reigning British Open up champion from Eire performed a apply spherical with Graeme McDowell and the Koepka brothers.
By Wednesday, McDowell and the Koepka brothers withdrew from the Vacationers when it was uncovered that both McDowell’s caddie, Ken Comboy, and Brooks’ caddie, Elliott, had analyzed positive for the coronavirus.
Though neither McDowell nor the Koepkas examined good, all three withdrew out of precaution in situation they experienced been contaminated by the caddies but weren’t nonetheless demonstrating it in a check.
Lowry was so concerned that he consulted with PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan on Wednesday night to make guaranteed it was secure for him to have on and participate in. Monahan gave his blessing and it turned out to be a good point, with Lowry shoot a 4-below 66 on Thursday.
“I observed out on Tuesday evening about Kenny, Graeme’s caddie, and I’d used a small bit of time around Graeme,’’ Lowry reported. “But Graeme hadn’t found [Comboy] because final week [Comboy didn’t make the trip to Connecticut because he wasn’t feeling well].
“Then clearly we performed a exercise spherical with Brooks, Chase and Ricky Elliott, who was caddying for Brooks and he examined favourable [Wednesday] early morning. Ricky termed me himself. I couldn’t really believe that it. To be straightforward, I thought he was messing with me, due to the fact he kind of is like that often.
“Then as the guys pulled out, I contacted the Tour pretty speedily. I requested them what did they think I should really do since I required to do the appropriate detail. But I really don’t believe I was inside of plenty of get hold of with Ricky more than the study course of the nine holes we played on Tuesday. We’re just having safeguards. I spoke to Jay [Wednesday evening] here at the club and he reported that I’m great to play. So, I’m right here to play’’
Lowry reported just after two cleanse weeks — only Nick Watney examined optimistic last week — this week’s cases “have been kind of a kick in the bottom to all of us and to make absolutely sure that we do the ideal things when we’re out there.’’
“I’ve witnessed a lot of media coverage that is rather detrimental, and I don’t like it,’’ he said. “I consider the PGA Tour, Jay, everybody involved has completed a terrific work, and I as a specialist golfer am pretty pleased to be again to function and to be providing some entertainment for some persons at residence. I feel we’re really blessed to be again out playing.’’
Abraham Ancer had his initially profession PGA Tour gap in a person on the 16th hole Thursday, jarring it with an 8-iron from 156 yards. And he was struck the relative silence that accompanied it when an ace commonly elicits large roars from the gallery. There, of study course, are no spectators authorized on the golfing course this 7 days.
“It was extremely anti-climactic since there was no person out there and we couldn’t substantial-5 or something, but still, it was brilliant to have my to start with PGA Tour ace,’’ he said. “You want to go superior-5 or something and we cannot correct now, so it was absolutely various. But I’ll acquire it.’’
Tyler McCumber, the son of 10-time PGA Tour winner Mark McCumber, did not get into the Vacationers subject until the Wednesday withdrawals. He missed the minimize at final week’s Korn Ferry Tour function and was prepared to take the 7 days off. He was on his way to the Pisgah Forest in the vicinity of Asheville, N.C., for a tranquil week off. Then he received late phrase that he was in the Travelers area if he could get to Connecticut.
“I assume I got the affirmation all over 3 p.m. and the previous flight out of Jacksonville was 5:30, so I had to pack up in about 25 minutes and head to the airport,’’ McCumber said.
He made his flight and manufactured the most of his chance, capturing a 5-under 65 on Thursday although taking part in alongside defending-winner Chez Reavie and Jon Rahm.
“My brother-in-legislation drove me to the airport very last moment,’’ McCumber explained. “I referred to as him, I’m like, ‘Hey, male, I feel I’m going to get into the match, can you uncover me a flight and possibly give me a experience to the airport and assistance me pack?’ He was Superman for me.’’
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