Caddie's Coronavirus Knocks Koepka Out of Travelers Championship

CROMWELL, CT — PGA Tour superstar Brooks Koepka, a four-time major champion ranked fourth in the Official World Golf Rankings, has withdrawn from this week's Travelers Championship after his caddie tested positive for the coronavirus.

Ricky Elliott, Koepka's caddie, tested positive Wednesday morning, prompting Koepka to pull out of the annual Tour stop in Connecticut. Koepka had played a practice round Tuesday with former U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell, who withdrew later that night after his caddie, Ken Comboy, tested positive for the coronavirus.

Koepka, the two-time defending PGA Championship winner who also claimed the U.S. Open crown in 2017 and 2018, addressed the situation on his Twitter page.

Koepka's brother Chase, who earned one of the final two spots in the field at Monday's open qualifier at Ellington Ridge Country Club, also withdrew.

"Despite being very excited about playing the Travelers Championship, I am electing to withdraw," Chase Koepka said. "My team and I have all tested negative for COVID-19; however, I was in close contact with someone who tested positive. I feel as if this is the best decision to keep all other players, caddies and volunteers safe. I wish everyone the best of luck this week."

Other withdrawals include 2012 U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson, who said a family member has tested positive for the virus within the past 24 hours, and Cameron Champ, who tested positive Tuesday.

PGA Tour officials released this statement Wednesday afternoon:

"We have been working since March to develop a comprehensive health and safety plan that would be considered a best practice among professional sports leagues. While we have been thorough in building and implementing a program that mitigates as much risk as possible, we knew it would be impossible to eliminate all risk – as evidenced by the three positive tests this week. We need to use these developments as a stark reminder for everyone involved as we continue to learn from an operational standpoint; we are making several adjustments to our health and safety plan, as noted in the memo sent to players this morning, and we will continuously reinforce to all players, caddies, staff members and support personnel on property at PGA TOUR events to adhere to social distancing and other safety protocols that further minimize risk."

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