Field Level Media
25 Jul 2021, 09:10 GMT+10
Bryson DeChambeau was scratched from the U.S. men's Olympic golf team on Saturday after testing positive for COVID-19 in the team's final screening before heading to Tokyo.
He was replaced on Team USA by Patrick Reed, joining Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele.
DeChambeau said in a statement issued by USA Golf: "I am deeply disappointed not to be able to compete in the Olympics for Team USA. Representing my country means the world to me and it is was a tremendous honor to make this team. I wish Team USA the best of luck next week in Tokyo. I will now focus on getting healthy, and I look forward to returning to competition once I am cleared to do so."
Reed said in a statement: "I am so excited to have the opportunity to represent our country and be a part of Team USA in Tokyo. I wish Bryson nothing but the best, and I know how disappointed he is to not be able to compete, and I will do my best to play my best and represent our country."
USA Golf executive director Andy Levinson added in a statement: "We're obviously disappointed for Bryson, as we know how much he was looking forward to representing the United States in his first Olympics. But we're thrilled that Patrick Reed is excited to play for his country when he is called upon, even with the strenuous testing protocols and he is set to arrive just in time to compete -- on a golf course he will have never seen prior to the start of competition.
"It really illustrates the importance of the Olympics and the value Patrick places on playing for Team USA and for his country. We're excited to welcome him to Tokyo soon and know he'll be a formidable competitor for Team USA."
DeChambeau, 27, is ranked sixth in the world. He won the Arnold Palmer Invitational earlier this year for his eighth career PGA Tour victory. His only major title came at the 2020 U.S. Open.
Reed, 30, prevailed at the 2018 Masters for his lone major championship. He has nine career PGA Tour wins, including the Farmers Insurance Open in January, and he is ranked 13th in the world.
Morikawa is ranked No. 3, Thomas is No. 4 and Schauffele is No. 5. Morikawa won the Open Championship last week for his second major title.
The men's Olympic golf tournament runs Thursday through Aug. 1 at Kasumigaseki Country Club in Saitama, Japan.
The same venue will host the women's Olympic golf event the following week. The U.S. women's team consists of Nelly Korda, Danielle Kang, Lexi Thompson and Jessica Korda.
--Field Level MediaGet a daily dose of Michigan Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Michigan Sun.
More InformationNEW YORK, New York - Global stock indices closed with divergent performances on Tuesday, as investors weighed corporate earnings, central...
TORONTO, Canada: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced late on June 29 that trade negotiations with the U.S. have recommenced...
Vancouver, Canada: A high-stakes legal showdown is brewing in the world of athleisure. Lululemon, the Canadian brand known for its...
LONDON, U.K.: British oil giant Shell has denied reports that it is in talks to acquire rival oil company BP. The Wall Street Journal...
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stock markets closed firmly in positive territory to start the week Monday, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: On Friday, President Donald Trump announced that he was halting trade discussions with Canada due to its decision...
EVERGLADES, Florida: Over the weekend, a diverse coalition of environmental activists, Native American leaders, and residents gathered...
BEIJING, China: China's national soccer team may struggle to stir excitement, but its humanoid robots are drawing cheers — and not...
]LONDON, U.K.: A World Health Organization (WHO) expert group investigating the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic released its final...
DOVER, Delaware: California Governor Gavin Newsom has taken legal aim at Fox News, accusing the network of deliberately distorting...
FRANKFURT, Germany: Germany has become the latest country to challenge Chinese AI firm DeepSeek over its data practices, as pressure...
TORONTO, Canada: Harvard University and the University of Toronto have created a backup plan to ensure Harvard graduate students continue...