Three University of Texas players have now withdrawn from the Augusta National Women’s Amateur after testing positive for COVID-19. Hailee Cooper was the latest to withdraw, announcing the news Sunday on Instagram. She joins Kaitlyn Papp and Agathe Laisne as Longhorns who won’t make the trip to Augusta.
“This morning, I received some disappointing news and have had to withdraw from the Augusta National Women’s Amateur due to a positive COVID-19 test,” Cooper wrote. “While I have been looking forward to competing in the ANWA for the past 2 years, I know my health and safety and that of those around me are the most important things.”
Papp, who finished fifth at the 2019 ANWA, tested positive on Monday. She was the first to withdraw followed by Laisne.
“I think I was just in complete shock,” said Papp, who tied for ninth at last year’s U.S. Women’s Open.
Both Papp and Laisne are seniors.
The second edition of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur begins on Wednesday at Champions Retreat. The top 30 players after 36 holes will compete in the final round at Augusta National.
“I’ll be watching and rooting all of you on,” Cooper wrote. “I hope that I will have an opportunity to come back next year and finally compete against the best in the world.”