Matsuyama among 3 more players to withdraw from British Open

By: The Associated Press Posted: 8:44 AM CDT Sunday, Jul. 11, 2021 Last Modified: 12:20 PM CDT Sunday, Jul. 11, 2021

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ST. ANDREWS, Scotland (AP) — Three more players withdrew from the British Open next week at Royal St. George's, a growing list that includes Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama, who was concerned about practice time and travel.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 11/07/2021 (1861 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland (AP) — Three more players withdrew from the British Open next week at Royal St. George’s, a growing list that includes Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama, who was concerned about practice time and travel.

Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson and former British Open champion David Duval also withdrew Sunday. That brings to 13 the number of players who had been planning to play but withdrew.

Matsuyama tested positive for the coronavirus during the Rocket Mortgage Classic last week in Detroit and has been self-isolating. He remains symptom-free, though subsequent tests have come back positive.

Bubba Watson pumps his fist as he makes a birdie putt on the 18th green during the final round of the Rocket Mortgage Classic golf tournament, Sunday, July 4, 2021, at the Detroit Golf Club in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

“I’m feeling fine but haven’t been able to practice in preparation for the Open,” Matsuyama said in a statement released by the R&A. “Combining that with the difficult travel to the U.K., my team and I have decided it’s best to withdraw to ensure everyone’s safety.”

Watson had to withdraw after he said he was in close contact with someone who had a positive COVID-19 test.

“While I am vaccinated and have passed the required pre-travel COVID test, not enough time has passed for me to comfortably join the charter flight and risk exposure to the other players and personnel on board,” Watson said in a statement on Twitter.