Grace tests positive, knocking him out of contention and PGA

Grace was at 20 points in the modified Stableford scoring system in the Barracuda Championship, two points out of the lead and in the penultimate pairing at Old Greenwood Golf Course.

Branden Grace tested positive for the coronavirus, a double blow to the South African who was one birdie out of the lead at the Barracuda Championship and now can’t play next week in the PGA Championship. Grace was at 20 points in the modified Stableford scoring system in the Barracuda Championship, two points out of the lead and in the penultimate pairing at Old Greenwood Golf Course. But he felt tired Friday night and thought it had to do with playing in altitude. He was tested to be sure, and it came back positive and he withdrew.

FILE PHOTO: Golf - The 148th Open Championship - Royal Portrush Golf Club, Portrush, Northern Ireland - July 19, 2019 South Africa's Branden Grace on the 8th hole during the second round REUTERS/Jason Cairnduff/File Photo (REUTERS)

“I wanted to get tested out of respect for my peers and everyone involved with the tournament,” Grace said in a statement to the tour on Saturday.”While it is unfortunate given my position on the leaderboard, the most important thing is our health.”Under PGA Tour guidelines, Grace has to self-isolate for 10 days and be without a fever for 24 hours before returning. The PGA Championship starts Thursday in San Francisco.

The tour said Grace’s caddie tested negative, but he will quarantine for 14 days. The tour said its contact tracing did not lead to additional testing.

Grace has played in every major dating to the 2014 British Open and holds the major championship record with a 62 at Royal Birkdale in the 2017 British Open.