Tensions over travel lead to Women's Open withdrawal

One of America's top players has decided to miss next month's Women's Open Championship because of concerns over international travel during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Brittany Lincicome has won two Majors and eight events on the Ladies PGA Tour but will miss her first Women's Open in 16 years.

She was originally planning to travel to Royal Troon with her infant daughter but no longer wants to take the risk. 

"I'm so bummed, my heart breaks not to go," she told BBC World Service Sport. "This is my 16th year I think on tour and I'm not sure I've ever missed the British Open, it's one that I never want to miss.

"It just didn't seem safe, I just didn't feel comfortable. We're just going to stick with domestic events definitely in the beginning, and then see where we go from there but I am so bummed to be missing that event."

The LPGA Tour resumes for the first time since March this week with a new three-day event, the Drive On Championship in Ohio, starting on 31 July.