Home

Golf

‘My Heart Just Sank’ – Scottie Scheffler Reveals Initial Reaction to Jon Rahm’s Withdrawal

Published 06/06/2021, 12:00 PM EDT

Follow Us

USA Today via Reuters

Jon Rahm was leading the 2021 Memorial Tournament by six strokes when he was given distressing news by PGA Tour officials. Rahm tested positive for COVID-19 and was asked to withdraw from the tournament following Round 3. Watching the 54-hole leader exit the competition in agonizing fashion did not sit well with the others, especially 24-year-old Scottie Scheffler. 

Jon Rahm made a putt on the 18th green and concluded an excellent Round 3 display to go 18-under for the tournament. Everything looked to be in sync for Rahm, who was poised to successfully defend his title at the Memorial Tournament. 

But much to everyone’s disbelief, Jon Rahm was informed about his positive test just as he was enjoying his 8-under 64 in Round 3. The cameras caught Rahm’s reaction upon learning about his fate, and guys like Scottie Scheffler voiced out against it. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Scottie Scheffler is confused about Jon Rahm’s withdrawal 

Jon Rahm had been subjected to daily testing at the 2021 Memorial Tournament since he had been in contact with a person who had the virus. However, it is indeed confusing to know that Rahm tested negative from Monday through Friday and then tested positive on Saturday.

“My heart just sank. It’s terrible that that happened. I think it’s terrible they told him in front of the cameras. I just, my heart is still, it just sinks for him. I just feel awful. I don’t know what the protocols are or how everything works, but I don’t know how he tested positive after the third round,” Scheffler told reporters on Saturday

Trending

Get instantly notified of the hottest Golf stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

USA Today via Reuters

Scottie Scheffler is also intrigued as to why the tour officials did not notify Rahm before he began Round 3. But as per the reports, Jon Rahm submitted a test after finishing Round 2 on Saturday morning. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Once the result came back as positive, they retested the sample once again just to be 100% sure. The tour officials took immediate action once the second test came back negative. It was an agonizing end to a wonderful tournament for Rahm. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

But Jon Rahm showed none of those emotions after his withdrawal from the 2021 Memorial Tournament. He accepted the situation graciously and is isolating himself now, as he’s asymptomatic and carrying the virus. 

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Arjun Athreya

2,181Articles

One take at a time

Arjun Athreya is a senior writer at Essentially Sports and has been contributing since early 2020. Having developed an avid interest in sports at an early age, he pursued a Journalism degree and graduated from Madras Christian College. Arjun manages the Golf division and its content, and primarily covers news pertaining to the NBA as well.
Show More>