Report(s): White House Lifts International Quarantine Rules For "Players caddies and essential personnel"

Reports from both Bob Harig at ESPN.com and Brian Wacker at GolfDigest.com say a PGA Tour email to players confirms international players, caddies and essential personnel are not subject to quarantine rules, immediately. Both stories report that the new guidance was a direct result of White House intervention.

From Harig’s report:

According to the memo sent by PGA Tour executive Tyler Dennis, players, caddies and essential personnel are now exempt from quarantine rules "as these groups are subject to COVID-19 testing and screening through the Tour's rigorous health and safety protocols throughout a tournament week. This update replaces the 14-day quarantine period currently in place."

Lee Westwood is one of the last top players to have not made the voyage to the U.S. in advance of the upcoming PGA, and will not be despite the rule change. Harig notes this quote after Westwood completed hosting this week’s British Masters.

"It's just not the life I'm used to. I got out on the golf course and I am struggling for motivation a little bit. There is a lot more to consider. The two American tournaments, next week and the following week, I'm still concerned that America doesn't take it (the virus) as seriously as the rest of the world. It still seems to be one of the hotspots for outbreaks. I can control me not getting the virus and take all the measures I can, but somebody might pass it on. I don't really want to get ill with it and I'm slightly asthmatic. If I tested in Memphis I would have to stay there for two weeks... right now there are too many ifs."