Cameron Champ has been cleared to play in this week's Rocket Mortgage Classic on the PGA Tour despite testing positive for Covid-19.
Champ, one of six players so far to test positive for coronavirus since the PGA Tour returned last month, is the first to benefit from a change to the US circuit's health and safety guidelines.
Previously, any player or caddie who tested positive was required to complete a minimum 10-day self-isolation period, as per the Centres for Disease Control’s protocols.
But going forward, in accordance with updated CDC guidelines, a player or caddie who tests positive for Covid-19 but has not had any symptoms may return to competition if he returns two negative tests results, a minimum of 24 hours apart.
Champ tested positive on 23 June but had three subsequent negative tests in the following 72 hours.
“I am extremely grateful for the tireless efforts and conversations between the tour, my team and all of the experts who were consulted in order to deliver this best possible outcome,” said Champ, who has been added to the field for this week's event in Detroit.
“It is a great example of everyone being committed to working together to adapt and evolve in this constantly changing environment.”
PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan said: “As we all learn more about how to navigate this complicated Covid-19 environment, we appreciate the continued dialogue with medical experts and with the Centres for Disease Control directly as we fine-tune our Health & Safety Plan accordingly.
"Today’s changes - and those announced over the past week - illustrate our commitment to preserving the health and well-being of our athletes, constituents and our impact on the communities in which we play, as well as a willingness to make medically-sound adjustments that allow our players to compete, safely. The continued success of our Return to Golf depends on that approach.”
Two players who tested positive earlier this week but were asymptomatic - Harris English and Chad Campbell - will be eligible to return to the PGA Tour next week if they test negative twice a minimum of 24 hours apart.
- TEAMtalk media