PGA Tour denies claims of ordering one million coronavirus testing kits to use among pros and event staff as golf looks to get the show back on the road
- PGA will not be taking an order of one million coronavirus testing kits
- Reports circulated stating the golf body wanted to clamp down on athlete tests
- A spokesman confirmed an order hasn’t be placed but widespread tests needed
- Revised schedule, featuring 14 tournaments, is now set to run until September 7
- Learn more about how to help people impacted by COVID
The PGA Tour has denied outlandish claims that golf is to demand up to one million coronavirus testing kits to distribute among players and staff on tour, as the sport prepares to get back on its feet.
Golf, like all sports around the globe, has been hugely impacted by the pandemic and seen its sporting calendar drastically altered as a result.
Last week speculation started to gather pace that one of golf’s main bodies, the PGA Tour, had placed huge orders for testing kits despite the lack of availability across both the United States and in England.
The PGA Tour has denied outlandish claims that golf is to demand up to one million coronavirus testing kits as the sport prepares to get back to its feet
After reports started to gather pace, A PGA Tour spokesman denied that the figure of one million tests was correct, but told the Guardian: ‘The Tour is still examining the issue of testing in consultation with leading medical experts.
‘We have on numerous occasions said publicly that COVID-19 testing as it stands today is most critical across the healthcare world and in our communities,’ they added.
Golf does however intend to develop a strict testing policy, with powers that be hoping for the sport to have chance of returning to business as usual before all others.
Daily tests will subsequently be undertaken by each individual in tournament week, with anyone returning a positive result asked to self-quarantine for 14 days.
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan previously stressed the importance of mass testing
Jay Monahan, the PGA Tour commissioner, has previously stressed the importance of mass testing and that golf should know its place in terms of national priorities.
‘We need to have widespread, large-scale testing across our country, where we are going to be able to test players, caddies and other constituents before we return,’ he said.
‘But we need to do so in a way that’s not going to take away from the critical need [the country is] going to be facing.’
The Tour estimates at least 25 of its member players and 35 caddies are currently outside the US, including the likes of Tommy Fleetwood and Lee Westwood.
Therefore if border restrictions are not eased by mid-June, there is an understanding these individuals will still be granted entry if due at a golf tournament. What this means in respect of returns to their home bases however as yet remains unclear.
A revised schedule was announced last week, featuring 14 tournaments running until 7 September in quick succession.
At least the first four of the event, including with the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas, will be closed to spectators.
Such is the scale of operations around the Tour events, estimates are that between 700 and 800 personnel will still be needed on site on every occasion.