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AUGUSTA, Georgia – Sergio Garcia has tested positive for COVID-19, and the 2017 Masters champion has withdrawn from the tournament, becoming the second player to miss the major championship due to the coronavirus.
Garcia, 40, who missed the cup last week at the Houston Open, won the Sanderson Farms Championship last month.
His first major title came at the Masters in 2017 with a sudden death against Justin Rose.
Garcia has the longest streak of consecutive major championships played at 84, dating from the 1999 Open at Carnoustie when he was 19.
After 21 years of not missing a major championship I will unfortunately miss @the Masters this week. The important thing is that my family and I feel good. We will come back stronger and try the green jacket next April ?? pic.twitter.com/Ofpq1hBGYu
– Sergio Garcia (@TheSergioGarcia) November 9, 2020
For this year’s Masters, all players and caddies must pass a COVID-19 test before being admitted to the field.
Last week, Chilean Joaquin Niemann withdrew due to a positive test.
The Masters now lists 94 players on the pitch, as there are no substitutes.
The tournament also announced Monday that it has changed its 36-hole cut criteria to include the top 50 players and ties, but it will no longer take those who are within 10 headshots. Last year that meant nine more players made it to the weekend.
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