Masters: Joaquin Niemann becomes first withdrawal due to COVID

In a statement released midday on Friday, Joaquin Niemann announced that he is withdrawing from the Masters due to a positive Covid test.

Nearly a week before the start of the Masters, we have seen our first withdrawal from the event due to Covid. Joaquin Niemann has announced that he tested positive for the virus, and will no longer be able to play at Augusta.

He made the announcement on his Twitter feed, and you can hear the despair and sadness come through in his tweet.

It’s terrible news on many fronts. You wouldn’t wish a positive test on anyone, and it stinks seeing another player come down with it. We wish him the best of luck during this time, and that he can recover quickly and strongly.

From the golf angle, it obviously couldn’t come at a worse time.

No one wants to miss out on the Masters. it’s the top tournament in the world of golf, and one of the greatest events in all sports. Joaquin Niemann had only been able to play in the Masters once before, that coming in 2018 when he missed the cut after shooting 76-77.

This was going to be his first chance to make it into the weekend, and a great opportunity to redeem himself after that missed cut in his first look at Augusta as a professional golfer. Now, he is going to have to wait until April (hopefully), to see if there will be another chance.

We’ve seen a handful of golfers have to withdraw due to COVID over the last month or so. From Scheffler to Tony Finau to Adam Scott to DJ and more, it seems like this is going to be something that is going to continually affect the world of golf.

Now, we just have to hope that in advance of one of the greatest events in sports, that no more people end up in the same terrible and difficult position that Joaquin Niemann is in. Stay safe and healthy everyone.