Watney will now be in self-quarantine for at least ten days, which requires the PGA Golf Health Protocol. He played the first round (failed with 74 strokes) with Vaughn Taylor and Luke List, which produced strong emotions.

- To be honest, I was a little shocked. My heart started beating and I got nervous. I hope Nick fixes this and gets through it in a good way, says Taylor according to AP.

Before the second round, Watney talked to world-set Rory McIlroy on the putting green and kept their distance. No audience was present. The Northern Irishman received a text message afterwards.

- Nick wrote that he hoped he didn't get too close and that he felt bad about being on the golf course, says McIlroy, who supported Watney.

McIlroy: "Would have done the same"

- I told him that if I had been in the same position I probably would have been here too. In this situation, you get to concentrate on getting better and getting healthy, I told him, says McIlroy, who is 45th far from the lead.

Webb Simpson leads halfway at -12 after two 65 laps. The only Swede in the field, Alex Norén, advanced to 22nd place after 66 strokes and is five strokes after Simpson. He was happy with the round.

- I thought I played a lot of good strikes and drew better than for a very long time, says Norén in C Moore's broadcast.