Bryson DeChambeau Tests Positive for COVID-19, Out of Olympics

The news was announced Saturday evening. DeChambeau will be replaced by Patrick Reed on the men's U.S. Olympic golf team in Tokyo.

Jeff Ritter | Jul 25, 2021

Bryson DeChambeau Tests Positive for COVID-19, Out of Olympics /

Bryson DeChambeau's Olympic dream is over after USA Golf announced Saturday that he has tested positive for COVID-19.

DeChambeau, 27, reportedly tested positive in his final screening before departing the U.S. for Tokyo.

“I am deeply disappointed not to be able to compete in the Olympics for Team USA,” DeChambeau said in a statement. “Representing my country means the world to me and it is was a tremendous honor to make this team. I wish Team USA the best of luck next week in Tokyo. I will now focus on getting healthy, and I look forward to returning to competition once I am cleared to do so.”

Patrick Reed replaces DeChambeau on the men's U.S. team, where he joins Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas and Xander Schauffele. Reed is the only member of the team who also competed in the Rio Games in 2016.

“We’re obviously disappointed for Bryson, as we know how much he was looking forward to representing the United States in his first Olympics,” said Andy Levinson, USA Golf Executive Director. “But we’re thrilled that Patrick Reed is excited to play for his country when he is called upon, even with the strenuous testing protocols and he is set to arrive just in time to compete – on a golf course he will have never seen prior to the start of competition."

There was no information provided on DeChambeau's current health or whether he is experiencing symptoms. The 27-year-old is currently No. 6 in the World Ranking and finished tied for 33rd last week at the British Open, which was scheduled to be his final tournament before competing in the Olympics.

This summer DeChambeau has been one of golf's biggest newsmakers -- and controversial figures. After the first round of the British Open, he drew criticism for saying that his driver "sucks." (He later apologized.) On July 6, DeChambeau played in a made-for-TV exhibition match along with Phil Mickelson and NFL quarterbacks Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. And throughout the summer, he has fanned the flames of a social-media-fueled feud with fellow PGA Tour pro Brooks Koepka.

More Bryson DeChambeau News on Morning Read:

- Bryson DeChambeau Out of Olympics After Testing Positive for COVID-19
- Why Now is Time for Bryson DeChambeau to Grow Up
- DeChambeau Finishes Humbling Week at Open with Final-Round 65
- Bryson DeChambeau Says Driver 'Sucks' After Opening Round of British Open
- DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka Renew War of Words at British Open
- 'The Match' Starring Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau Was a Dud

Published Jul 25, 2021

JEFF RITTER

Jeff Ritter is the managing director of SI Golf. He has more than 20 years of sports media experience, and previously was the general manager at the Morning Read, where he led that business's growth and joined SI as part of an acquisition in 2022. Earlier in his career he spent more than a decade at SI and Golf Magazine, and his journalism awards include a MIN Magazine Award and an Edward R. Murrow Award for sports reporting. He received a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and a master's from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.