Nick Watney Details What It Was Like To Be First PGA Tour Player To Test Positive For Coronavirus

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With the increase in testing as the main point of the safety and health guidelines implemented by the Tour and the fact that positive tests are on the rise in certain parts of the country, it was inevitable that a PGA Tour member was going to test positive for coronavirus.

Nick Watney became the first player on Tour to test positive after receiving the unfortunate test result prior to his second-round tee time at the RBC Heritage on June 19. In a recent interview with the Associated Press, the five-time PGA Tour winner talked about what it was like being the first player on Tour to test positive.

“I will say, it’s not the greatest feeling being the first to get it,” Watney said. “Some things are so vague around this thing. The symptoms … some people get this, some get that. I haven’t had a fever or cough the whole time, no shortness of breath. Maybe that’s the reason it’s so scary. I still don’t know how or where I got it.”

“I don’t know how I got it. I don’t feel as though I was reckless. That part is scary. It’s like this invisible, silent thing.”

Watney’s explanation of, for the most part, being asymptomatic is interesting. While he stated he hasn’t had any of the obvious symptoms, he did tell AP he is still suffering a bit from fatigue and a loss of smell.

The 39-year-old was of course forced to withdraw from the tournament following the positive test and required to self isolate for up to 14 days. Tuesday marks his 11th day in self-isolation in Hilton Head.

As for what’s next, Watney has booked a rental car and is set to make the 17-hour drive back to his hometown of Austin, TX.

As of Tuesday morning, a total of five players and two caddies have tested positive for the coronavirus. Dylan Frittelli and Harris English are the latest to test positive and were forced to withdraw from the field for this week’s Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit.

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