Cameron Champ was added to the field in the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit under a modified PGA Tour policy that permits players who test positive for the coronavirus to be eligible if they had no symptoms and get two negative test results at least 24 hours apart.
The decision Wednesday was the latest modification to an evolving "Health and Safety Plan" as the tour enters its fourth week back from the COVID-19 shutdown. Champ is among six players and two caddies on the PGA Tour who have tested positive.
Ricky Elliott, the caddie for Brooks Koepka, tested positive before the Travelers Championship last week in Connecticut, and then had a negative test.
The tour said after several asymptomatic positive tests that were followed by a negative test, it consulted with the CDC and is moving to a test-based model, which allows players or caddies to return if they have two negative tests at least 24 hours apart.
Previously, the tour relied on time-based protocols that required those who test positive to self-isolate for at least 10 days.
Champ tested positive on June 23 and withdrew from the Travelers Championship. The tour said he had three negative tests over the 72 hours. He still had to be tested at Detroit Golf Club upon arrival. Champ was set to tee off as a single at 2:10 p.m. Thursday on the 10th tee.
"Today's changes — and those announced over the past week — illustrate our commitment to preserving the health and well-being of our athletes, constituents and our impact on the communities in which we play, as well as a willingness to make medically sound adjustments that allow our players to compete, safely," PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan said in a statement. "The continued success of our return to golf depends on that approach."
Harris English and Chad Campbell tested positive when they arrived in Detroit for the Rocket Mortgage Classic, while Brandon Wu and Jonathan Hodge had positive tests in Colorado on the Korn Ferry Tour. The tour stated all were asymptomatic. They would be eligible to play next week if they have two negative tests at least 24 hours apart.
