The LPGA has released an update on its COVID-19 testing results following its initial three weeks of testing.
The tour conducted 233 pre-travel tests of players and caddies prior to them departing for this week’s LPGA Drive On Championship. Tour player Marina Alex, who is asymptomatic, tested positive during this phase as did one caddie. The caddie was only scheduled to work Drive On and did not travel to the event. Alex is expected to return to competition at next week’s Marathon Classic after a 10-day quarantine.
“At the advice of my primary care physician, I have remained in isolation while continuing a testing regiment which has successfully provided three negative tests in the last seven days,” said Alex in a statement on twitter. “I have exhausted every resource possible to be able to compete at Inverness, however due to current CDC guidelines and the current protocols the LPGA has put in place for our safety my official clearance date does not allow me to compete this week.”
The LPGA further tested 233 players and caddies on-site in Toledo this week. Mexico’s Gaby Lopez tested positive and two tests are still pending after their initial results were inconclusive. The tour did not reveal any more information about whose results are pending or their status for Friday’s opening round, but anticipates getting results prior to the start of the first round.
Lopez has withdrawn from the event and is self-isolating.
Last week on the Symetra Tour, 205 players and caddies were tested prior to traveling to the FireKeepers Casino Hotel Championship in Battle Creek, Michigan. Fatima Fernandez Cano tested positive and withdrew from the event. She has since recovered and been cleared to play.
The Drive On Championship kicks off at 7 a.m. on Friday at historic Inverness Club.
