Golfer, caddie disqualified from European Tour event for breaking coronavirus protocol

An American golfer and his caddie were disqualified from the European Tour’s English Championship event on Wednesday for breaking the organization’s coronavirus restrictions. 

The European Tour released a statement that said American John Catlin, 29, and his caddie Nathan Mulrooney were barred from participating in the tournament after they visited a restaurant on Tuesday outside the tour’s designated bubble for players. 

The tournament created a biosecure bubble for its restart and instructed those involved with the event that they cannot go anywhere but their hotel and the golf course, The Guardian reported. The restart bubble has been in place for three weeks.

“The European Tour has withdrawn American John Catlin and his caddie Nathan Mulrooney from this week’s English Championship at Hanbury Manor following a breach of its Covid-19 protocol,” the European Tour’s statement said. 

“The duo visited a local restaurant on the evening of Tuesday August 4 outside the tournament bubble, hence compromising the Tour’s health guidelines, and were withdrawn from the tournament with immediate effect as a result,” the statement continued. 

Catlin apologized in a statement released by the tour.

“I apologise to my fellow players and everyone involved with the tournament this week for this error of judgment,” he said. “I understand the European Tour’s decision and accept the sanction.”

His spot in the championship will be filled by South African Wilco Nienaber. 

The English Championship, which offers a top prize of more than $1.1 million, is the third of the European Tour’s “UK Swing” series of events scheduled after the pandemic shut down sports. All events have been and will be held without spectators.