Bubba Watson, Hideki Matsuyama out of The Open because of COVID-19 protocols

SANDWICH, England – Bubba Watson became the second player in a four-hour window on Sunday to withdraw from The Open Championship because of COVID-19 issues.

Watson will miss the championship after coming into close contact with someone who had tested positive for the coronavirus.

“While I am vaccinated and have passed the required pre-travel COVID test, not enough time has passed for me to comfortably join the charter flight and risk exposure to the other players and personnel on board,” Watson said in a statement on social media. “Like many of you, I look forward to watching The Open Championship on TV. Since I will be watching from the comfort of my couch, I would not mind seeing the field have to deal with a little rain and strong winds.”

Just four hours earlier on Sunday, the R&A announced that Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama had also withdrawn from The Open. Matsuyama tested positive for COVID-19 at last week’s Rocket Mortgage Classic and although he’s symptom-free, he continues to test positive.

Brendan Steele will replace Watson in the field at Royal St. George’s while Harold Varner III took Matsuyama’s spot. The current alternates are, in order, John Catlin, Adam Long and Sam Horsfield.