Asian Tour "COVID-19 Emergency"... Five Confirmed Cases Including 'Top Prize Winner' Kim Si-hwan

The first round of the Asian Tour LIV Golf International Series Korea is taking place at Jeju Lotte Skyhill Golf Course. Photo by Asian Tour

[Asia Economy Reporter Now Rae] The Asian Tour is facing an emergency due to COVID-19.

On the 18th, at the Lotte Skyhill Golf Course in Seogwipo, Jeju Island, five players, including Kim Si-hwan (USA), who is ranked "No. 1 in prize money," tested positive for COVID-19 and withdrew from the Asian Tour LIV Golf International Series Korea (total prize money $1.5 million). The Asian Tour took measures to manage the situation by fielding reserve players to replace the withdrawn players.

An official from the Asian Tour stated, "Players from the reserve list stepped in to replace the five players who tested positive for COVID-19," adding, "We will do our best to ensure the tournament proceeds smoothly." The Asian Tour LIV Golf International Series is a tournament supported by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF). The first to third rounds were held in Thailand, the United Kingdom, and Singapore. In Korea, 44 players participated, including Kim Bi-o (32), the winner of the GS Caltex Maekyung Open.