Joaquin Niemann tests positive for COVID, withdraws from Masters

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[Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports]

As if the cool temperatures and shortened daylight window weren’t enough, the pandemic continued to mess with the 2020 Masters as Joaquin Niemann withdrew from the event on Friday after testing positive for COVID-19.

Niemann is currently ranked 41st in the Official World Golf Ranking and 38th in the Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings.

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I have tested positive for coronavirus and unfortunately I will not play in @themasters next week as a result. This event means a lot to me, and I have had incredible memories playing as the LAAC champion, as well as alongside some of the game's greatest players last year. I am disappointed but will do everything possible to recover quickly while keeping my family and team safe. /// Desafortunadamente testee positivo para coronavirus y no podré jugar @themasters la semana que viene. Este torneo significa mucho para mi, tengo muy buenas memorias de cuando lo jugué como campeón del LAAC y en verdad estoy muy desilusionado de no poderlo jugar este año pero haré todo lo posible por tener una pronta recuperación mientras mantengo a mi familia y a mi equipo sanos.

A post shared by Joaquin Niemann (@joaco_niemann) on Nov 6, 2020 at 11:29am PST

The 21-year-old Chilean has on the top of his game of late — he’s finished in the top 25 at all four of this season’s PGA Tour events, including a sixth-place finish at the CJ Cup at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas.

Niemann has one Tour win under his belt, taking the title at the 2019 Military Tribute at The Greenbrier, an event that has since been removed from the schedule.

He has played in seven major tournaments so far in his young career, but failed to make the cut in his only other appearance at Augusta in 2018.