Even though spectators are once again admitted to golf tournaments in the United States, the effects of the corona pandemic can still be felt on the PGA Tour.

On Saturday, the Spaniard Jon Rahm tested positive for Covid-19 at the Memorial Tournament in Dublin (Ohio), where golf legend Jack Nicklaus is the host on the course he designed.

After a brilliant third round of 64, the world number two had apparently confidently taken the lead with six strokes ahead of Americans Collin Morikawa and Patrick Cantlay and set a record from Tiger Woods from 2000. But instead of being able to defend his title won last year with this huge lead on Sunday, the 26-year-old professional has to go into quarantine for ten days in accordance with the regulations of the PGA Tour.

Only if two PCR tests carried out 24 hours apart give a negative result, should he stop the secretion prematurely.

If he fails to show these tests, Rahms' self-isolation would end on June 15, two days before the start of the US Open on the Torrey Pines South Course in San Diego.

In January 2017, the Basque celebrated the first of his five victories on the PGA Tour in the public squares of this facility directly on the Pacific just a few months after moving to the professional camp.

First front runner with Corona

The fact that he was denied the opportunity to collect the prize money of 1.674 million dollars and important points for the world rankings was completely unexpected for Rahm. He had to undergo a PCR test every morning because he had been identified as the contact person for someone infected with Covid-19. After the negative test, Rahm was allowed to play in this traditional tournament, especially since he showed no symptoms of illness.

The other tests were negative every day - except on Saturday.

A smear was only taken from Rahm that day after he had spectacularly completed the second lap, which was interrupted on Friday due to a thunderstorm.

At the iconic 16th hole, a 167 meter long par 3, he hit the ball directly into the hole with an 8 iron.

Thanks to this ace, Rahm finished the second round with 65 strokes and was two strokes ahead of Cantlay at half time.

After that, the usual corona test was positive.

It was only after the round was over that the tour officials informed Rahm that he had to withdraw from the tournament immediately.

Rahm is the fourth professional and the first front runner to test positive during a tournament at one of the 50 events of the PGA Tour according to Corona rules.

“I am very disappointed to have to withdraw from the Memorial Tournament.

It's one of the things that happens in life, one of the moments when responding to setback defines us as a person.

I am very grateful that everyone in my family is okay.

I will take the necessary precautions to keep everyone safe and healthy.

I'm already looking forward to watching the showdown for the title with all of you on Sunday afternoon, ”wrote Rahm on Twitter on Saturday evening.

Rahm was particularly pleased that everyone who had been on the lap together with Rahm in the last few days, the Americans Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele and Colin Morikawa, were tested according to the follow-up protocol and were allowed to go to the final round on Sunday.