Masters: 2017 winner Sergio Garcia withdraws after catching COVID-19

Sergio Garcia, the 2017 winner, has withdrawn from this week’s Masters after testing positive for COVID-19.

Sergio Garcia celebrates with the Masters Trophy during the Green Jacket ceremony after he won in a play-off in 2017 at Augusta National. Picture: Andrew Redington/Getty Images

The Spaniard’s absence from the rescheduled event at Augusta National brings an end to his run of not missing a major for 21 years.

Revealing the news on social media, Garcia said: “On Saturday night after driving bac from the Houston Open, I started feeling a bit of a sore throat and a cough.

“The symptoms stayed with me on Sunday morning, so I decided to get tested for COVID-19 and so did my wife, Angela. Thankfully, she tested negative, but I didn’t.”

Garcia recorded his maiden major victory in 2017 as he followed in the footsteps of compatriots Seve Ballesteros and Jose Maria Olazbal in claiming a Green Jacket.

He was set to head into this week’s event with high hopes after recording his first win on US soil since that triumph with victory in the Sandersons Farms Championship in October.

“After 21 years of not missing a major championship, I will sadly miss The Masters this week,” he added.

“The important thing is that my family and I are feeling good. We’ll come back stronger and give the Green Jacket a go next April.”World No 1 Dustin Johnson and 2013 Masters winner Adam Scott both made their return in the Houston event after spells in isolation following recent positive tests.

Meanwhile, it has been announced that the top 50 and ties will make the cut in this week’s event as opposed to everyone within 10 shots of the lead.

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