Bookmakers pay out on Jon Rahm as Memorial winner despite dramatic withdrawal

Bookmakers are paying out backers of Jon Rahm to win the PGA Tour's Memorial Tournament after the Spaniard, leading by six shots at the end of his third round, was forced to withdraw due to a positive Covid-19 test.

The defending champion was trading at 1.14 on the Betfair Exchange when he was informed of the test result but BoyleSports, Betfred, bet365, Hills, Paddy Power and Betfair Sportsbook have confirmed that they will settle all outright bets on Rahm as a winner.

Coral and Ladbrokes are also paying out punters who backed Rahm to win the tournament, finish in the top five, top ten and top 20. Any other unsettled bets involving the 54-hole leader will be voided.

Rahm had enjoyed a perfect start to his Saturday shift as a hole in one on the 16th helped him to a score of 65 in his delayed second round. He went one better in the third round, walking off with a 64 before hearing the news of his positive test.

The world number three wrote on Twitter: "I'm very disappointed in having to withdraw from the Memorial Tournament. This is one of those things that happens in life, one of those moments where how we respond to a setback defines us as people."

A statement from the PGA Tour read: "While this is an incredibly unfortunate situation, throughout 50 events since the PGA TOUR's Return to Golf, there have been only four positive tests (including Rahm) within competition; Rahm is the first positive, asymptomatic case as part of the TOUR's routine, contact-tracing protocols."

The runaway leader's shock exit from Muirfield Village leaves Collin Morikawa and Patrick Cantlay tied for the lead at 12 under par, three shots clear of Branden Grace and Scottie Scheffler.

Bookmakers cannot split Morikawa and Cantlay and both players are 6-4 shots going into the final round.

Rahm is expected to be in isolation until Tuesday, June 15, just two days before the start of the US Open at Torrey Pines.

He is 12-1 favourite, and as short as 8-1 with one bookmaker, to win the next Major and is also a 12-1 shot for next month's Open Championship at Royal St George.

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