The 2021 Memorial golf tournament took place last weekend from June 3-6, at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio. American golfer, Patrick Cantlay, won in a one-hole playoff against Collin Morikawa on Sunday.
On Saturday, June 5, however, defending champion Jon Rahm was forced to withdraw from the Memorial due to a positive covid test. After a 6-stroke lead and only one day left of the tournament, he forfeited the $1.675 million prize money.
Rahm, who won last year’s Memorial and shot a hole-in-one this past weekend, has now been told to go home. He was notified during the tournament through contact tracing that he had been in close contact with someone who had COVID-19. Although asymptomatic, he still got tested and received a positive result. He released a statement on Twitter saying:
“I’m very disappointed in having to withdraw from the Memorial Tournament. 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 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.”
Several media outlets are saying that Rahm’s decision not to get vaccinated cost him the tournament. Despite Rahm’s setback, he will be able to play in the U.S. Open, which will take place from June 17-20.
