United States golfer Bryson DeChambeau is out of the Tokyo Olympics after testing positive for COVID-19 on Saturday, according to ESPN. Spain star Jon Rahm is also out after his own positive test on Sunday. This takes two of the biggest names in golf out of the Olympics.
DeChambeau is being replaced on the U.S. team by Patrick Reed, while Rahm is not being replaced on the Spanish team.
This is especially notable for Rahm after he tested positive for COVID-19 earlier in the year. In fact, that positive test took him out of a tournament he was leading by six strokes at the time.
DeChambeau released this statement on the situation:
“I am deeply disappointed not to be able to compete in the Olympics for Team USA,” DeChambeau said in a statement. “Representing my country means the world to me, and it is was a tremendous honor 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.”
The American was among four U.S. qualifiers for the Olympics, with Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele the other three. DeChambeau got the final spot because Dustin Johnson turned down the opportunity.
Reed was the third alternate after DeChambeau, with Patrick Cantlay and Brooks Koepka the first and second alternates, respectively. This means Cantlay and Koepka declined their invites.
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