PGA Tour will allow vaccinated players to skip testing

While the US completely missed the mark early on with its COVID-19 response they certainly have made up for it with an enormously successful vaccination rollout.

The benefits of which are now becoming apparent with the PGA Tour announcing via an internal email that any player who has been fully vaccinated will not be required to undergo weekly testing prior to tournament play.

PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan (Credit: PGA Tour)

Pre-tournament testing has been in place since the Tour returned in July 2020 following a a three-month hiatus.

“As the COVID-19 vaccine is becoming more readily available, more individuals are being vaccinated,” said the email, which was first reported by Golf Digest.

“PGA Tour Health and Safety protocol requires individuals to continue testing onsite until 14 full days have passed since their second dose or 14 full days since their single dose. Once 14 days have passed, individuals are no longer required to take a COVID-19 test when considered ‘inside the bubble’ at PGA Tour, PGA Tour Champions or Korn Ferry Tour events.”

Earlier this year, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan said he would not enforce player vaccinations.

“I think the most important thing right now is education, and then we’re going to do everything we can do support vaccination for our players when it’s appropriate to do so,” said Monahan ahead of the Players Championship and a year on from its historic cancellation due to the pandemic.

It’s hard not to imagine that at some point, unvaccinated players will be in the minority and the Tour’s rhetoric may change accordingly.

In the meantime, players will still have the choice between getting the jab and skipping the queue or put up with weekly testing.