PGA ramps up testing, warns of 'serious repercussions' for defying protocols

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan is pledging to enforce stricter safety measures in the wake of multiple positive coronavirus tests and a handful of withdrawals from this week's Travelers Championship.

"We all need to remind ourselves that we're all learning to live with this virus," Monahan said Wednesday, according to PGATour.com's Mike McAllister. "It's pretty clear that this virus isn't going anywhere."

The Tour is instituting several new protocols, including nasal swab testing on arrival for those using the Tour-sanctioned charter, as well as a pre-charter test. Player instructors will also now be tested in the "bubble."

Beginning next week at the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit, the Tour-sponsored fitness trailer will be placed on-site.

"One of the things that we've identified or we want to eliminate is players going to off-site gyms," Monahan said. "Having our physio trailers here will help that. All of our players entering those physio trailers will be wearing masks."

Lastly, players who test positive for coronavirus after failing to follow the safety rules in the Tour's Participant Resource Guide will not be eligible for a stipend.

"All of us have an extraordinary responsibility to follow those protocols," the commissioner said. "For any individual that does not, there will be serious repercussions."

Earlier Monday, Monahan confirmed that Cameron Champ, as well as the caddies for Brooks Koepka and Graeme McDowell, had tested positive.

Champ, Koepka, and McDowell withdrew from the upcoming tournament, as did Koepka's brother, Chase, and last week's RBC Heritage champion, Webb Simpson.