Kansas men lead college event only to have to WD after a positive COVID-19 test

As most Division I college golf programs return to the course for the spring semester—some competing for the first time in nearly a year—there is nothing certain about the 2020-21 season. The COVID-19 pandemic hovers over everything, and requires players and coaches mentally to approach any tournament one round at a time.

If you need a concrete example as to why, just look at this weekend’s Wyoming Desert Intercollegiate. After the first round at The Classic Club in Palm Springs, Calif., on Friday, the Kansas men led by two shots over Georgia Tech, posting a 14-under 274 thanks to a 65 from freshman Luke Kulver.

Come Saturday, however, the Jayhawks were missing from the leader board.

“Due to a positive COVID-19 test within the Kansas Men’s Golf team, the Jayhawks have withdrawn from the Desert Intercollegiate and will pause all activities at this time,” read a release from the school issued on Saturday, which added that the team would be returning to campus in Lawrence, Kan., following the school’s health and safety protocols.

This was the first tournament of the spring for Kansas, ranked 28th according to Golfstat, second best of the 21 teams in the field. Jayhawks players were paired with golfers from Georgia Tech, Air Force and Colorado during the first round, the field playing foursomes in a shotgun format.

MORE: U. of Georgia senior preps for most chaotic semester of his college career

The remaining 20 teams played the second round on Saturday, Georgia Tech taking the lead. The third and final round is set for Sunday.

The Jayhawks are next scheduled to compete at the Lamkin San Diego Classic on March 8.