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A coronavirus scare involving Italian players Lorenzo Gagli and Edoardo Molinari created a stir before the start of the European Tour’s Oman Open.
After Gagli (above, right) and Molinari (above, left) initially withdrew from the tournament last Wednesday on what the tour later termed “medical grounds” amid reports that they had been isolated to determine if they had the coronavirus, they were reinstated as competitors on Thursday.
Gagli had exhibited flu-like symptoms before the tournament and was assessed by the tournament’s on-site medical team, according to a European Tour statement released Thursday. In consultation with the Omani Ministry of Health and in line with current World Health Organization guidelines, he subsequently was tested for the coronavirus and entered self-isolation as a precaution, the statement said. Gagli had been sharing a hotel room with Molinari, who showed no signs of illness but also entered self-isolation in a separate room as a further precaution, the statement added.
“We will also continue to work closely with our own health experts and local authorities to ensure we have the latest medical and travel advice for all our tournaments ... ”
European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley
On Thursday morning, the Omani Ministry of Health reported that Gagli’s test results were negative, the statement said.
“It’s an inexplicable decision,” Gagli told an Italian newspaper before the negative test result and his reinstatement into the field. “Only us two have been excluded from the tournament, but I arrived in Muscat last Sunday and over the last few days I’ve worked out in the gym with dozens of other players. I ate with them and traveled by bus with them.
“If there was a risk of contagion, then they would have to isolate dozens of golfers and cancel the tournament.”
Meanwhile, as Molinari bided his time in isolation, he tweeted: “For everyone asking, I am absolutely fine. No symptoms at all, no fever, no cold, nothing wrong at all … just very bored and annoyed. Hopefully this nightmare will be over soon!”
Keith Pelley, the European Tour’s chief executive, said in the tour’s statement: “This is a difficult global situation, one during which we will continue to follow all guidance given to us on preventive measures, and all decisions will continue to be made in the interests of overall public health.
“We will also continue to work closely with our own health experts and local authorities to ensure we have the latest medical and travel advice for all our tournaments, because the well-being of our players, staff and spectators remains the European Tour’s absolute priority.”
Because Gagli and Molinari had been replaced following their withdrawal, the European Tour expanded the tournament field to 146 players. Gagli went on to finish T10, while Molinari finished T50.
In February, the European Tour announced it will postpone the Maybank Championship in Malaysia and the Volvo China Open, which were set to take place in April, due to coronavirus concerns.
The LPGA also cancelled tournaments that had been slated for China, Singapore and Thailand in February and March.
Staff and Wire Reports