Using input from infectious diseases experts, the Federal Coronavirus Task Force and other specialists, the PGA Tour has developed a plan to keep players safe when professional golf officially resumes.
Dubbed “Return to Golf” and sent to Tour members earlier this week, the lengthy plan calls for multiple levels of testing, including thermal readings and nasal swab or saliva exams.
Before they can even depart for the Charles Schwab Challenge, let alone get on the greens on June 11 at the Colonial Country Club in Forth Worth, players and caddies will undergo a pre-travel screening test. Upon arrival, they will be tested again.
The PGA’s idea is to create a “bubble” of protection for players and caddies, as well as staff, media and volunteers at the event. Fans will not be allowed.
Though they know there is some risk in playing, most Tour members are ready to take their chances and get back to their game.
“Given that each locality has different regulations and mandates, the PGA Tour is taking everything into consideration,” two-time major champion Zach Johnson, who is on the players advisory council, told Golfweek. “I’m comfortable with it. The bottom line is we can’t mitigate the entire risk. No one can. If that’s the case, don’t go to the grocery store. This thing is not going away. You can’t mitigate the entire risk. At some point you have to open up this country. You have to start thinking about some semblance of normalcy. We are just golf. But the beauty of golf is we are outside, we can take social distancing to the extremes, and within our bubble we can create as much safety as we can. I don’t think it’s too soon.”
Hopefully, for the sake of the potential return of all the other major sports, he’s right.
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