Swine Flu Causes a Spate of Withdrawals at Mexican Golf Tournament

Due to mounting concerns surrounding the outbreak of swine flu across Mexico, the country’s San Luis Potosi Open will be at least ten golfers short when it tees off due to the withdrawal of a number of players according to the Canadian Golf Tour.

The tour, which forms part of the feeder system for the main US PGA Tour said in a statement that while players are still arriving from Latin America, the United States and Canada, a number of players had decided to withdraw from the event.

Spokesman for the tour, Commissioner Richard Janes said on the Canadian Tour website that players would be monitored and that every precaution would be taken to protect the players taking part from the virus which has hit headlines across the globe.

Precautions taken by the tour include the provision and use of only bottled water for drinking, the use of hand sanitisers and the availability of medical staff. There is also a recommendation that players eat only at the resort and refrain from travelling into the local town of San Luis Potosi.

Meanwhile, the venue for the event – the Jack Nicklaus designed La Loma Golf Club – has been closed to the public for the duration of the tournament. To make the atmosphere even more spooky for the players, there will also be no fans or local caddies in attendance at the course.