Watney becomes 1st PGA Tour player to test positive for COVID-19

Nick Watney tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday and was forced to withdraw from the RBC Heritage, the PGA Tour announced.

The 39-year-old arrived at Harbour Town Golf Links on Friday and indicated he had symptoms consistent with the coronavirus. He then tested positive prior to beginning his second round and is now self-isolating.

Watney traveled privately to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, and tested negative upon his arrival, which allowed him to practice throughout the week and play the opening round.

The PGA Tour is currently conducting contact tracing for those who may have been within close proximity to Watney. He played with Luke List and Vaughn Taylor on Thursday.

Under the PGA Tour's health and safety plan, a player who tests positive must withdraw immediately if they are competing that week and self-isolate for 10 days, provided there are no subsequent symptoms. The player then must receive two negative tests 24 hours apart in order to return.

While it's the first positive test on the PGA Tour, the Korn Ferry Tour has confirmed six cases as the secondary circuit nears the end of its second event since its return.