LPGA rookie Andrea Lee has tested positive for COVID-19 and withdrawn from this week’s US Women’s Open, the USGA announced on Thursday morning.
Lee, a 22-year-old from Hermosa Beach, California, took a pre-arrival test last week in Dallas, where she played in the Volunteers of America Classic, and tested negative. Upon arriving at Champions Golf Club in Houston this week, however, she tested positive for the coronavirus during pre-tournament screening. According to the USGA, Lee said she is currently experiencing mild symptoms. She will now go into quarantine per CDC guidelines.
Lee is the first player this week to test positive for COVID-19.
“Andrea is part of the USGA family, having represented the USA in several team competitions, and we are disappointed to lose a player of her calibre from the field,” said John Bodenhamer, USGA senior managing director, championships, in a statement. “We look forward to watching her play in future US Women’s Open Championships for years to come.”
Though in her first year on the LPGA Tour, this was to be the fourth US Open for the former Stanford standout. She also competed in the tournament in 2014, 2018 and 2019 with her best finish in the event a T-60 last year. She also has two top 10s on the LPGA this season with her best finish a T-5 at the Marathon LPGA Classic in August.
Lee is replaced in the field by Japan’s Ayaka Watanabe.
