Georgetown Prep Alum McCarthy Tests Positive for COVID-19, Withdraws from PGA Tour Event

PGA Tour member Denny McCarthy has withdrawn from the Travelers Championship prior to the second round after testing positive for COVID-19.

McCarthy, 27, was born in Takoma Park, attended Georgetown Prep High School where he played golf and basketball all four years and graduated from the University of Virginia.

“I was feeling pretty tired and sore after the round yesterday but didn’t think much of it because I had practiced a lot Monday to Wednesday,” said McCarthy. “Last night, I woke up in the middle of the night with additional aches and soreness and sensed something was off. I felt like the only thing to do was get tested at that point before I went to the course.”

McCarthy’s caddie, Derek Smith, tested negative on Friday.

According to the PGA Tour: “For the health and well-being of all associated with the tournament and those within the community, the TOUR is implementing its response plan in consultation with medical experts, including working with those who may have had close contact with him. As a result, a total of 16 additional tests were or will be administered on Friday; thus far, McCarthy is the lone positive.”

The two players who played alongside McCarthy in the first round, Matt Wallace and Bud Cauley, both tested negative on Friday morning, with Cauley testing negative twice. Both of their caddies, David McNeill (Wallace) and Matt Hauser (Cauley) also tested negative.

McCarthy is the third PGA TOUR member to test positive for coronavirus since the PGA Tour returned to action on June 11 (Nick Watney at last week’s RBC Heritage, Cameron Champ earlier this week). A total of 428 individuals (players, caddies, essential personnel) underwent on-site testing prior to the start of this week’s action, with three positive results: Champ and caddies Ken Comboy and Ricky Elliott.

“Denny has our full support as he self-isolates here in Hartford and recovers, and I know I speak for the entire TOUR membership in thanking him for doing the right thing in requesting an additional test before heading to the golf course today,” said Jay Monahan, PGA TOUR Commissioner.  “What Denny, Bud and others are demonstrating is exactly what we asked of everyone – continue to do your part in taking this virus seriously and keeping not only your own health as a priority, but also that of your fellow competitors and those you may come in contact with.  Today’s update again demonstrates our rigorous and quick testing, contact tracing capabilities and overall healthy and safety protocols.  We will continue to liaise directly with local and state government and health officials this week and throughout our Return to Golf.”

About Joe Yasharoff

Joe Yasharoff is MCM's Director of Content and Operations. He is also an adjunct journalism professor at the University of Maryland. Previously, Joe was the Managing Editor at NBC Sports Washington and Executive Sports Producer at FOX5 (WTTG-TV). He hosts the MoCo's Most Famous podcast for MCM.

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