Watney, McCarthy, Frittelli to play despite positive COVID-19 tests

The PGA Tour announced Wednesday that Nick Watney, Denny McCarthy, and Dylan Frittelli will play as a threesome in the Workday Charity Open despite all three continuing to return positive tests for COVID-19.

The Tour's initial return-to-play protocol involved a mandatory 10-day self-isolation period following a positive test, but it was amended July 1 to a symptom-based model, as outlined by the CDC. The new protocol states a player must meet the following criteria to return to action:

• At least three days have passed since recovery, which is defined as resolution of fever without fever-reducing medications and improvement in respiratory symptoms
• At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared

With all three players returning positive tests, the symptom-based model was implemented to allow them to return to action in Ohio.

Watney was the first player to withdraw from an event due to a positive COVID-19 test, pulling out before the second round of the RBC Heritage in South Carolina. McCarthy was forced to withdraw after 18 holes at the Travelers Championship, while Frittelli skipped the Rocket Mortgage Classic after testing positive prior to boarding the Tour charter following the Travelers.

Players falling under the symptom-based category must play alongside fellow pros in the same situation or on their own. Jason Day played the third round of the Travelers Championship as a single after reporting symptoms but returned a negative test result.