Koepka withdraws from Travelers after caddie tests positive for COVID-19

Four-time major winner Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the Travelers Championship after his caddie, Ricky Elliott, tested positive for COVID-19, he told Golfweek's Eamon Lynch.

"I'm going to pull out to protect everybody else. I think it's the right thing to do," Koepka said. "I don't want to risk anyone's life if they have respiratory issues or underlying conditions. The only way this Tour can continue is if guys do this sort of thing and be proactive about it."

Koepka later released his own statement via Twitter.

Elliott tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday morning at TPC River Highlands - the host of the Travelers Championship - after previously testing negative 48 hours earlier when he arrived at the tournament.

"We all got tested Monday - myself, (coach Claude Harmon III), and Ricky. We all came back negative," Koepka said. "We had no symptoms. Nothing."

The World No. 4 played a practice round Tuesday at TPC River Highlands with Graeme McDowell, whose caddie - Ken Comboy - recently tested positive. Comboy didn't travel to the tournament, though. The foursome was rounded out by Brooks' brother Chase - who also withdrew from the tournament - and Shane Lowry.

Koepka's team has been kept in a tight bubble since the Tour resumed June 11 at the Charles Schwab Challenge, staying together in lockdown with a chef and only leaving the rented homes to go to the course or get tested. The only exception was when Elliott joined McDowell and Comboy at a funeral June 15 in Orlando. Comboy believes he may have contracted the virus during a commercial flight he took from Dallas to Orlando two days prior.

In addition to the Koepka brothers and McDowell, two other players have withdrawn from the Travelers due to COVID-19: Cameron Champ, who tested positive Tuesday, and Webb Simpson, who recently had a family member test positive.