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PGA Tour encourages players to get vaccine

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The PGA Tour has encouraged its golfers to get a coronavirus vaccine.
Camera IconThe PGA Tour has encouraged its golfers to get a coronavirus vaccine. Credit: AP

The PGA Tour is telling its players they will not have to be tested for the coronavirus if they are vaccinated, and those who aren't will soon have to pay for their own tests.

In a memo sent to players, the tour strongly encouraged them to get vaccinated.

It stopped short of saying it would require players to be vaccinated to compete in tournaments.

Players would be deemed inoculated 14 days after the full course of the vaccine.

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They would no longer be subject to testing for the coronavirus and, in accordance with US health guidelines, would be able to gather in small groups without face coverings.

Social distancing and face coverings still would be required at tournaments.

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Players have been subjected to testing since golf's return last June, which was paid for by the tour.

The testing operation will stop at the end of June.

After that, the tour said players or staff wanting to take part in a tournament would be required to provide a negative PCR test within 72 hours of arriving.

The tour said it would reimburse the cost of testing for those who can't get vaccinated because of a medical condition.

Meanwhile, a limited number of spectators will be allowed at the US Women's Open in San Francisco and the US Open in San Diego in June provided they are vaccinated or can show proof of a negative test for the coronavirus.

The USGA announced the policy on Monday after consulting with California health officials.

While the U.S. Opens will not be the first majors to allow fans, they will be the first to hold spectators to a standard of health through the COVID-19 vaccine or testing.

The USGA did not indicate how many fans would be allowed at either championship.

The Masters did not require its spectators, believed to be about 8000, to be tested two weeks ago at Augusta National.

The PGA Championship on May 20-23 at Kiawah Island in South Carolina is allowing 10,000 fans a day who will not need to show proof of a negative test or vaccination.

The U.S. Women's Open is June 3-6 at Olympic Club. The U.S. Open is at Torrey Pines on June 17-20.

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