An emotional Jon Rahm was forced to withdraw from the Memorial Tournament in Ohio while holding a six-shot lead after he tested positive for Covid-19 as he walked off the 18th green following Saturday’s third round.
Rahm hit a hole-in-one and shot an eight-under-par 64 on Saturday to take control of tournament and looked set to claim the £1.18million first prize.
But a positive Covid test meant he had to pull out.
Rahm said: "I'm very disappointed in having to withdraw.
“This is one of those things that happens in life, one of those moments where how we respond to a setback defines us as people.
"I'm very thankful that my family and I are all OK. I will take all of the necessary precautions to be safe and healthy, and I look forward to returning to the golf course as soon as possible."
The PGA Tour said Rahm was given the news as he finished his round as part of "Tour protocols".
A PGA Tour statement read: "On the evening Monday, May 31, the PGA Tour notified Jon Rahm that he was subject to contact-tracing protocols, as he had come in close contact with a person who was Covid positive.
“Per the Tour's Covid health & safety plan, Rahm was given the option to remain in the competition and enter our tracing protocol, which includes daily testing and restricted access to indoor facilities. Rahm has remained asymptomatic.
"Rahm has tested negative every day, but his most recent test - which was performed after the conclusion of his second round (rain delayed) and before the start of his third round - returned positive at approximately 4.20pm Eastern Time while Rahm was on the golf course.
“The PGA Tour's medical advisor requested a confirmatory test on the original sample, which came back at 6.05pm ET, and was also positive."
Collin Morikawa and Patrick Cantlay are now the co-leaders at 12 under.
