Patrick Reed in Olympics as Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm unable to compete
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Written by Staff
Patrick Reed will compete in his second Olympic Games after replacing Bryson DeChambeau in the field in Tokyo. DeChambeau is unable to compete for Team USA after testing positive for COVID-19 as part of the final testing protocol before he left the United States for the Olympics 2020 in Japan.
Patrick Reed, who is competing in this week’s 3M Open, will replace DeChambeau and is undergoing the requisite testing protocol Sunday and Monday before departing for Japan. The first round of competition is Thursday, July 29 (local time). Reed finished 11th in the 2016 Games after shooting a final-round 64 at Rio de Janeiro.
Jon Rahm, the world’s top-ranked player and winner of this year’s U.S. Open, also tested positive for COVID-19 as part of the final testing protocol before leaving for Japan and will be unable to represent Spain in Tokyo. The Spanish Olympic Committee stated that without adequate time to find a replacement and comply with the necessary health protocols required for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Spain will only be represented by Adri Arnaus.
In accordance with the IGF’s Late Athlete Replacement Policy, the next available athlete identified by the IGF Reallocation Reserve List will replace Rahm, following nomination by his National Olympic Committee.
Reed joins Justin Thomas, Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele on Team USA’s men’s golf team. Nelly Korda, Lexi Thompson, Danielle Kang and Jessica Korda will represent the United States in the women’s competition.
“I am so excited to have the opportunity to represent our country and be a part of Team USA in Tokyo,” Reed said. “I wish Bryson nothing but the best, and I know how disappointed he is to not be able to compete, and I will do my best to play my best and represent our country.”
DeChambeau said he is “deeply disappointed” not to be able to compete in the Olympics.
“Representing my country means the world to me and it is was a tremendous honor to make this team,” DeChambeau said. “I wish Team USA the best of luck next week in Tokyo. I will now focus on getting healthy, and I look forward to returning to competition once I am cleared to do so.”
Said Andy Levinson, USA Golf’s Executive Director, “We’re obviously disappointed for Bryson, as we know how much he was looking forward to representing the United States in his first Olympics. But we’re thrilled that Patrick Reed is excited to play for his country when he is called upon, even with the strenuous testing protocols and he is set to arrive just in time to compete – on a golf course he will have never seen prior to the start of competition. It really illustrates the importance of the Olympics and the value Patrick places on playing for Team USA and for his country. We’re excited to welcome him to Tokyo soon and know he’ll be a formidable competitor for Team USA.”