DUBLIN, Ohio – Jack Nicklaus and his wife, Barbara, contracted coronaviruses in March and have since tested negative for the virus and positive for antibodies.
Nicklaus, 80, founder and host of the Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club, revealed the surprising news during the CBS broadcast of Sunday’s final round.
Nicklaus said he and his wife were isolated in their home in South Florida from March 13 to April 20.
“Barbara was asymptomatic and had a sore throat and cough,” Nicklaus told Jim Nantz. “It didn’t last long, and we were very, very lucky, very lucky. Barbara and I are at risk age.
“Our hearts go out to the people who lost their lives and their families. We were only a couple of the lucky ones, so we feel very strong working with those who care for those with COVID-19. ”
When asked earlier in the week about his long tradition of shaking the Memorial winner’s hand on the 18th green at the end of the tournament, he said, “I’m going to shake your hand. I’m going to walk and shake myself. [their] hand. If you don’t want to shake my hand, that’s fine, I’ll hit you on the fist or hit you on the elbow.
“But I’m not going to give them COVID-19. I wouldn’t put anyone in that position. And if I were in danger of doing it, I wouldn’t shake hands with them. By the way, I also like to shake your hand. I think it’s a great tradition, but it was as fun for me as I hope it will be for them. ”
On Sunday, Nicklaus clarified his comments.
“[Reporters] He asked me if I was going to shake hands on the 18th green with the winner, ” he said. “Well, if the winner wants to shake hands, that’s fine, [but] I won’t put it in position. “
Nicklaus, who holds the all-time record with 18 major championship victories, revealed that he tested positive on March 13, the same day the PGA Tour canceled the Players Championship and stopped his schedule.
“We were home from March 13 and we finished with this around April 20,” he said. “We stayed home for the next month to make sure we were okay.”
After completing his final round on Sunday, Tiger Woods, who lives near Nicklaus in the Palm Beach, Florida area, said he knew Nicklaus and his wife had contracted the virus.
“The fact that they’ve gotten through it and are safe and here and healthy is good news for all of us who are a part of golf and who admire Jack and have been close to Barbara all these years,” Woods said. “The fact that they are healthy is nothing but positive.”
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