McIlroy frustrated by "dumb mistakes"; DJ wins again; Frittelli tests positive
Dustin Johnsonand his brother Austin enjoy a laugh shortly after he tapped in to win the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Dustin Johnson claimed a hard-fought, one-stroke victory in the Travelers Championship before the PGA Tour announced that Dylan Frittelli tested positive for COVID-19.
The South African, who missed the cut at the Travelers Championship, has been withdrawn from this week’s Rocket Mortgage Classic field but after conducting necessary contact tracing, the PGA Tour’s medical advisors are not recommending any additional testing at this time.
“I am experiencing no issues and feel great physically and was surprised and disappointed to learn of the positive test today,” said Frittelli, who played with Ian Poulter and JT Poston in the first two rounds. “I’m thankful for the WHOOP strap notification of a minor increase [0.3] in my respiratory rate overnight.
“However, I’m most thankful for the TOUR’s assistance, procedures and protocols, which I will continue to follow during my self-isolation, so as to keep everyone safe. I look forward to getting back on TOUR once it’s safe to do so.”
Frittelli is the fourth PGA Tour player to test positive for Coronavirus since the PGA TOUR’s Return to Golf on June 11: Nick Watney at last week’s RBC Heritage; Cameron Champ and Denny McCarthy earlier this week.
As for the tournament, Johnson moves up three spots to third in the world after carding a three-under 67 to win his 21st PGA Tour title by a shot from Kevin Streelman (67) on 19-under-par as overnight leader Brendon Todd was forced to settle for tied 11th alongside a frustrated Rory McIlroy after a 75.
McIlroy carded a final round 67 and admitted he was frustrated by his poor decision-making as he ended up six behind the winner, making up the numbers in the middle of the pack.
The world No 1 was eight strokes off the pace starting the final round but after following an opening birdie with bogeys at the second and fourth, he birdied the sixth, seventh and 10th, eagled the par-five 13th and birdied the 16th to within three shots of the leaders.
Victory was never an option but he threw away two shots at the 17th after finding water with his approach from a fairway bunker.
“Just over the last few weeks I've made too many mistakes, too many bogeys, too many loose shots, and that was sort of what it was this week, as well,” said McIlroy, who has finished tied 32nd, T41 and T11 in his first three starts since the restart, ending a run of seven successive top-5 finishes.
McIlroy said he was more likely to return for the Memorial in a fortnight rather than play next week’s additional Workday Charity Open at the same Muirfield Village venue.
“I'm not sure. Probably Memorial, maybe the one before. But the way I'm feeling right now, I feel like a couple weeks off,” he said.
“Decision making was terrible the last few days. Just some stupid shots and trying to take too much on at times.”
He admitted he needed to be “a little more thoughtful on the course” if he was to avoid making the “dumb mistakes” he feels he doesn’t usually make.
Explaining why he needs two weeks off, he added: “It's just the mental aspect of it, and especially when you are frustrated.
“I've been frustrated on the course the last three weeks, not being sort of in contention, and sort of sucks going off in the middle of the pack on a Sunday, knowing that you don't really have a chance. Yeah, a couple weeks at home maybe, just reset and start again.”
It’s also been a frustrating three weeks for Shane Lowry though he followed two missed cuts with a share of 60th on four-under thanks to a closing 67.
The Offaly man made five birdies and two bogeys in his final round and will be pleased that he finished the week tied sixth for proximity to the hole.
His long game is clearly close to its best but his putting has let him down.
He was 67th of 68 for strokes gained putting at TPC River Highlands, giving up five strokes to the field on the greens.
Lowry takes this week off but Seamus Power, who missed the cut in his last two starts on the Korn Ferry Tour, returns to PGA Tour action for the Rocket Mortgage Classic at Detroit Golf Club.
