Americans just don’t seem to get it!

This comes after the European Tour released a four-sentence statement to say that American John Catlin and his caddie Nathan Mulrooney have been withdrawn from this week’s English Championship at Hanbury Manor after they breached Covid-19 protocol.

John Catlin in happier times – winning on the Asian Tour.

The rules for all six ‘UK Swing’ are plain and simple.  Once you enter the tournament ‘bubble’ you have to remain in the bubble and the minute you leave that ‘bubble’ you’re no longer allowed to re-enter the ‘bubble’.

The pair visited a local restaurant in Hertfordshire on Tuesday evening outside the tournament bubble, which compromised the Tour’s strict health guidelines.

As a result organisers have withdrawn them from the event with immediate effect.

“I apologise to my fellow players and everyone involved with the tournament this week for this error of judgement. I understand the European Tour’s decision and accept the sanction,” said Catlin.

Catlin, 29 was born in California and turned professional in 2013.  He has seven wins in his pro career including four on the Asian Tour including capturing last November’s Thailand Open.  He has played 29 events on the European Tour since 2016 with just one top-10 but also missed the cut in 19.

Catlin will be replaced in the tournament by South African Wilco Nienaber.

The English Open is the European Tour’s third successive event hosted in England as part of the UK Swing, with Hanbury Manor having previously held the event on three occasions from 1997 to 1999.

Catlin will be replaced in the tournament by South African Wilco Nienaber.