Wallace defends decision to play after partners withdraw with virus concerns

Matt Wallace played Round 2 of the Travelers Championship alone after Denny McCarthy withdrew because he tested positive for coronavirus and Bud Cauley pulled out as a precaution.

Despite knowing he was in close proximity to McCarthy, who fell ill overnight prior to Friday's round, the decision to continue on was an easy one for Wallace.

"I'm playing with a chance to change my career if I win, so why wouldn't I play," he said. "It's black and white for me. I tested negative and I can go play."

Wallace was administered two tests for the virus at TPC River Highlands, one on Friday in the wake of McCarthy's positive test, and one every player receives earlier in the week. Both came back negative.

However, like Cauley, Brooks Koepka, Chase Koepka, Webb Simpson, and Graeme McDowell all withdrew from the Travelers Championship earlier in the week due to precautionary reasons, which put Wallace in a situation he doesn't believe should be criticized.

"I don't think I should be in any way a negative here," the Englishman said. "I don't think I should be put in that spotlight at all. I've done everything else that any other player has done and I've tested negative. I'm in the same boat that they are."

As for playing alone in the second round? The world No. 47 wasn't too impressed with that either.

"Just a bit frustrated that maybe - I don't know what the PGA Tour might think, but would DJ play on his own? Would Rory play on his own? I probably doubt it, so they could have dropped one of the players back from in front or maybe from behind to go ahead and play with me."

Wallace shot 70-72 to miss the cut by six.