- Watson had ‘direct exposure’ to someone who tested positive
- Masters champion Matsuyama unable to practise after test
The Open Championship has suffered high-profile withdrawals after Hideki Matsuyama, the Masters champion, joined Bubba Watson in confirming he will not play at Royal St George’s. Both have problems arising from coronavirus.
Watson, a two-time Masters champion, took to social media to explain he had “direct exposure” to someone who has tested positive for Covid-19. “While I am vaccinated and have passed the required pre-travel Covid test, not enough time has passed for me to comfortably join the charter flight [from the US]and risk exposure to the other players and personnel on board.” Brendan Steele has stepped from the reserve list to take Watson’s spot.
Related: Rory McIlroy: ‘I was more impulsive back then. I’ve matured, I’ve learned’
