World No.1 Jon Rahm and 2020 US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau are to miss this week’s golf event at the Olympic Games after both players tested positive for Covid-19.
DeChambeau tested positive before leaving the United States for Tokyo and has been replaced by Patrick Reed. Rahm tested positive for the last day 2 PCR tests he took ahead of his arrival in Japan, and will also miss out on a chance of winning a medal, for which he was strongly fancied. No Spanish player was available to take Rahm’s place at such short notice.
DeChambeau said: “I am deeply disappointed not to be able to compete in the Olympics for Team USA. Representing my country means the world to me and it is was a tremendous honour to make this team. I wish Team USA the best of luck next week in Tokyo. I will now focus on getting healthy, and I look forward to returning to competition once I am cleared to do so.”
Reed was scheduled to undergo testing on Monday to clear himself to compete in Tokyo. The 30-year-old Texan joins Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele in the men’s competition. Reed was third in line to be a replacement, behind Patrick Cantlay and Brooks Koepka, neither of whom made themselves available for the trip.
The men’s golf event starts on Thursday (July 29) at Kasumigaseki Country Club.