In the most shocking news of the entire PGA Tour season, Jon Rahm, leader by 6 of the event, was forced to withdraw after testing positive for COVID-19. Rahm was informed of the news right on the 18th hole, in a bit of a charade act by the PGA Tour. Here’s the clip.
Jon Rahm…with a 6 shot lead at Memorial…finds out AFTER HIS ROUND that he’s tested positive for COVID-19.
That means he has to withdraw. As the leader by 6…
Just unbelievable. pic.twitter.com/AqtqNA75kH
— TJ Eckert (@TJEckertKTUL) June 5, 2021
Of course, there are a ton of questions surrounding this, as clearly he’s been asymptomatic all week. So, before we dive into how it affects this golf tournament and the PGA DFS showdown contests for the final, let’s do a quick recap of what I’ve learned regarding the matter.
- Rahm entered the COVID protocol earlier this week because someone with whom he had close contact tested positive within the PGA Tour’s testing system.
- He was subjected to daily testing under the protocols and tested negative each day. Until the test after the completion of round two, which was Saturday morning around 10:30. The test came back positive at 4:20 PM and was sent out for additional testing. That result also came back positive and was given to them at 6:05, just before play had ended for the day.
- Andy Levinson, PGA Tour VP of Tournament Operations, stated multiple times that fully vaccinated individuals are not subjected to any type of testing at any time regardless of proximity to those who may be infected with the disease.
- While Andy wouldn’t directly answer the question on Jon Rahm, it’s obvious we can surmise from the comments made prior to being asked specifically about Rahm that Rahm is, in fact, not vaccinated.
- Levinson Suggested over 50% of the PGA Tour population is fully vaccinated.
- If you’ve had the disease, you aren’t subjected to testing within 90 days of infection. However, outside of that 90 days, you are subjected to it.
Now, as we turn our attention back to the golf tournament, at the minimum, Scottie Scheffler, who also suggested he wasn’t vaccinated in a post-game interview, will be tested tomorrow morning. Patrick Cantlay, one of the new leaders, had COVID earlier this season but maybe within that 90-day window of when he had, so he wouldn’t be subjected to the testing if that’s the case and flat out said he isn’t vaccinated.
So, with a six-shot lead vaporized, it’s a wide-open tournament yet again, with two tied at the top. One of those golfers we know has had COVID and isn’t vaccinated, Patrick Cantlay, and one we know nothing about. Still, because he played with Rahm the first two days, he would be subjected to testing if he hasn’t had it or isn’t vaccinated, and that’s Collin Morikawa.
Be sure to check out Awesemo’s expert PGA DFS Showdown projections and ownership for Round 4 of the Charles Schwab Challenge.
Round 4 PGA DFS Showdown Picks: The Memorial Tournament
Previous Round Recap
Trying to focus on the golf that has been played, and will be played, is a tad difficult given that this tournament was basically an afterthought given Rahm was really pulling away. Also, add in the multiple weather delays we’ve had, and this tournament is certainly one we will remember for quite some time. Cantlay has officially broken out of his slump, while Morikawa adds fuel to the course history fire, as both he and Cantlay and Rahm, for that matter, all had wins on this golf course in the last two years.
The closest chasers to those two are Branden Grace & Scottie Scheffler, a week after each of them packed their bags rather early at the Charles Schwab. For Grace, he withdrew due to a back injury, which seems to be really bothering him here this week, and Scheffler, who wasn’t even close to the cut line on one of his “home” courses.
Then a full six back is Max Homa, with a handful of golfers seven back, including Patrick Reed.Â
 Round 3 Stat Recap
Through three rounds, these are the golfers that are averaging positive strokes gained in all four facets of their game:
- Collin Morikawa
- Patrick Cantlay
- Branden Grace
- Scottie Scheffler
- Max Homa
- Si Woo Kim
- Aaron Wise
- Jim Herman
- Adam Scott
- Bo Hoag
PGA DFS Showdown Picks: Slate Preview
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- DraftKings is offering $50,000 to first place and $150,000 guaranteed for the final-round slate.
Even with Rahm being forced to WD, it still very much feels like a two-horse race. Scheffler hasn’t shown us that he can win on the big boy stage yet, and Grace, still dealing with back problems, will make it even more difficult to come up with three stories. I think the one that’s most at risk given the situation is Scottie Scheffler since he suggested he’s not vaccinated outside of the 90-day window and was next to Rahm quite a bit today. Play at your own risk, but at least the information is presented.
I think that both Cantlay & Morikawa are in the clear, so I don’t have any problem rostering them. I would roster a guess that Collin is vaccinated, and Cantlay is still within that 90-day window.
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PGA DFS Picks for Round 4 of The Memorial Tournament
- Xander Schauffele ($10,200)Â Someone who I know is within the 9o day window of having COVID and therefore not required for testing is Xander. And while today’s round didn’t go as planned, it was the around the green game that turned dead south out of nowhere. But he gave himself a lot of awful chances to try and get up and down from his approaches, so the negative three shots lost is really a testament to his poor approach play in round three. In each of the first two rounds, he gained over two strokes with his approaches, so I think it was more of an anomaly today than what we can expect to be constant. I’m cool going with Xander/Collin for my lineups tomorrow.
- Carlos Ortiz ($8,000)Â Carlos has not let me down this week, as his irons have stayed hot all week. But, his putter and driver haven’t been operating nearly as well and are actually losing strokes over the three days. But, with his irons being in such good form for the second straight week, I’ll bet that the drive and/or putter both get hot in tomorrow’s final round.
- Aaron Wise ($6,800)Â Speaking of continuing a solid run of form, Wise is doing just that this week, as he certainly seems like he’s figured out the putter, having gained over three strokes for the week. Given his run of recent good ball-striking, it’s no surprise to see him in the top 10 heading into Sunday in an event where he’s gaining stroke with the flat stick. I don’t want to fade that going into the final round, especially at his price.
Sneaky Pick for the Round 4 Showdown
- Talor Gooch ($7,000)Â Something weird happened to Gooch today on his 11th hole, the second hole at the course, as he was five-under through his first ten holes. He drove into the right rough, over by the creek that runs through the hole. It was said his tee shot wasn’t in it, but somehow his next shot ended up there. That lead to double, and three more bogeys with only one birdie would come and pushed him all the way back to even par for the event. Maybe he can get that same run going again tomorrow, and instead of it being stalled out by something weird, he posts a solid number and back doors a top 10.
DraftKings Fill-Ins for The Memorial Tournament
- Adam Scott ($7,400)
- Bryson DeChambeau ($8,900)
- Patrick Reed ($8,800)
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