Justin Lower was forced to withdraw from this week’s PGA Tour event, just days after he had achieved his best result of 2023.
Lower was scheduled to start at 7:56 am on Thursday, the first round of the John Deere classic.
Former Northwest High School and Malone University players, the former player finished eighth in the Rocket Mortgage Classic. This was his best finish for the calendar year of 2023.
Ken Hyland, Lower’s former coach at Malone University, in Northwest Ohio, learned of Lower’s late departure from the John Deere Field by talking to other Malone players.
Hyland stated that Justin was in his room when he fell sick. “He went to the front desk and told them he needed to go to hospital. Something’s wrong.’
He went into the doctor’s office and was diagnosed with a 103 degree temperature.
Justin Lower takes off at the fourth hole in the final round of the Rocket Mortgage Classic on Sunday, July 2, 2020.
Hyland reported that a Malone member told him Lower had been diagnosed with COVID-19. The Tour doesn’t disclose illnesses, but a website called Golf Injury Report identified COVID-19 as the reason for Lower’s withdrawal. Arjun Atwal, the alternate player, took Lower’s place.
Hyland stated that the PGA Tour would not allow you to play with COVID.
Lower was scheduled to tee-off at 7:56, with Ryan Palmer and Matt NeSmith. NeSmith shot a 3-under-par 68 on the TPC Deere Course. Palmer shot 69.
Lower didn’t play. Hyland was upset.
Hyland stated, “This is the same course Justin used to win nationals in his junior year at Malone and finish third in his senior year.” “I was thrilled. “I thought this course was perfect for him.”
There are not many tournaments left. I was ill. It’s all part of the game. “You just never know what will happen.
Hyland prayed Lower would make a quick recovery and awaited more news.
Lower’s win at the Rocket Mortgage Classic gave him a big boost in his quest for a PGA Tour Card. He was ranked 91st on the Tour’s FedEx Cup Standings when he entered the week. His season earnings were $1.2 million.
The season 2022-23 continues with the Barbasol Championship in Kentucky, the Barracuda Championship in California, the 3M Open in Minnesota, and the Wyndham Championship in North Carolina.
Lower has three top-10 finishes in this season, including a fourth place finish in the Fortinet Championship in September last year, an eighth place finish in the Butterfield Bermuda Championship in October last year, and a eighth-place finish in the Rocket Mortgage Classic, which ended on Sunday.
