Mystery Illness Strikes the PGA Tour Yet Again; Mexico Open Witnesses 3 Abrupt WDs Mere Days After Riviera Scare

A series of withdrawals followed the cut day at the Mexico Open. Three PGA Tour pros pulled out of the $8.1 million purse event on a day that saw multiple upward movements on the leaderboard. The top was shaken up, with the lead now being divided among four. Nevertheless, shock withdrawals from Vidanta Vallarta took the spotlight on Friday. 

PGA Tour Media Communication tweeted from their official X (formerly Twitter) handle that three players have bowed out during the second round. It’s been an eventful few weeks for the Tour after late withdrawals and disqualifications took center stage at the Genesis Invitational last week as well. What happened at Vidanta Vallarta this time?

Golfers who have exited from the Mexico Open

Interestingly, no specific reason was given for the withdrawals. The first news came from Max Greyserman, who called it quits, allegedly due to a back injury. The 2014 NJSGA Champion debuted on the top circuit this year, with his best outing coming at the American Express for a tied 56-spot finish. Before withdrawing, the Duke University alum carded 1-under 70. Greyserman was through the 11th hole before pulling out. 

Ben Kohles, on the other hand, withdrew with five holes left to play. Kohles started from the back nine on Friday. It is not clear why the 33-year-old exited from the second round. Similarly, Pierceson Coody withdrew with five holes left to play. Coody was 7-over 78 in the first round and was 1-under 49 through the 13th hole when he left the field.

The news of second-round withdrawals also follows some big names, keeping themselves out before the event began. Will Zalatoris was among them and kept himself out of the Mexico Open without citing any specific reasons. However, his decision was believed to be the result of a sudden loss of a family member. The latest series of withdrawals also follows the unfortunate events that struck the Genesis Invitational a week ago. 

Genesis Invitational was marred by bizarre events 

Only last Friday, Tiger Woods withdrew from the Genesis Invitational, a tournament he hosted, while playing in the second round. Later, it was revealed that the 15-time Major winner had influenza. Jordan Spieth, in a bizarre incident, was disqualified from the event because he signed an incorrect scorecard. The three-time Major champion signed three while taking four strokes on the par-3 4th hole. 

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Interestingly enough, LIV Golf’s Mexico event was also marred by initial reports of food poisoning. Apparently, players were under the weather in Mayakoba. Although there were no early reports as such for the Mexico Open, the Tour has seen three withdrawals within a span of a few hours. Matt Wallace took the lead after the second round, firing 6-under 65 on Friday. Overnight leader Erik van Rooyen moved to fifth place on the leaderboard.

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