Minas Panagiotakis

By Joel Beall
Jhonattan Vegas has withdrawn from the Sony Open after testing positive for COVID-19.

Vegas, 36, announced the news on Twitter Tuesday evening.

“Not exactly how I had planned to start this season in the PGA Tour,” Vegas wrote. “Unfortunately I just tested positive for COVID-19 and will be missing the next two tournaments. I hope I can come back stronger from this.”

Vegas is a three-time tour winner and member of the 2017 Presidents Cup team but missed the FedEx Cup Playoffs last year and is coming off a rough fall, failing to make the weekend in three of seven starts with just one top-25 finish. Because of the positive test, Vegas must now go into self-quarantine, adhering to CDC guidelines.

It is the second positive COVID-19 test for the PGA Tour in 2021, with Jim Herman dropping out of the Sentry Tournament of Champions. Webb Simpson and Xander Schauffele tested positive during the 2020 holiday season but were able to produce negative results in order to play in Maui last week.

Seamus Power will replace Vegas in the Sony Open field.