Kaitlyn Papp received her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on Monday evening and thought the aches and chills she started to feel the next day were side effects.
On Wednesday morning, Papp started to get nervous after she took a COVID-19 test and the symptoms persisted. Later that evening, Papp’s test came back positive. On Friday, the Texas senior announced her withdrawal from the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
“I think I was just in complete shock,” said Papp, who tied for fifth at the 2019 ANWA after rounds of 72-69-74.
Papp, No. 9 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, is now in isolation in Austin, studying for her Organizational Behavior class. She expects to be cleared in time to compete in the Big 12 Championships next month.
“I’m thankful for the experience I had two years ago,” said Papp, “being able to play Augusta in the final round and finishing in the top five.
“I just try to keep remembering there’s a lot bigger problems in the world and people have died from this virus. I’m fortunate to be OK and not suffering like many people have.”
Last weekend, Papp and her teammates competed in the Mountain View Collegiate in Tucson, Arizona. Two other Texas players are in the ANWA field: Hailee Cooper and Agathe Laisne.
Cooper is currently quarantined but tested Wednesday and Thursday and was negative both times. Cooper said she hasn’t been exposed since last Sunday. She’ll test again on Friday and once more either Sunday or Monday.
“I talked to the tournament director today and they told me that as long as I keep testing negative, I’ll probably be OK,” Cooper wrote in a message, “but they are looking into taking more COVID measures.”
The second edition of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur begins on Wednesday.
Papp tied for ninth at last year’s U.S. Women’s Open in Houston and punched her ticket for the 2021 edition at Olympic. She hasn’t yet decided when she’ll turn professional, but does have plans to attend LPGA Q-School. Both the Curtis Cup and World Amateur Team Championships will be staged later this year.
“I know things happen for a reason,” said Papp, “and I know I’ll have big things in the future as well.”