Golf Pro Jack Nicklaus Reveals He and His Wife Barbara Previously Tested Positive for COVID-19

Golf Legend Jack Nicklaus revealed that he and his wife are survivors of the novel Coronavirus, having tested positive for the disease earliar this year.

Retired Golf Pro Jack Nicklaus surprised audiences with some disconcerting news on Sunday when the 80-year-old appeared on CBS Sports.

Nicklaus while speaking to show host Jim Nantz confirmed that he and his wife, Barbara Bash, had contracted the novel Coronavirus and tested positive for COVID-19 on March 13, 2020.

Nicklaus revealed that he and Barbara then underwent a one-month quarantine at their home in North Palm Beach, Florida, after seeing their results. Fortunately, the duo has since recovered, and the golfer has tested positive for antibodies of the virus.

Jack admitted that he was very concerned while they were ill because he and Barbara were both "at-risk age" ⸺ Barbara is also eighty years old. He was thus grateful that their condition didn't persist. He recalled:

"It didn't last very long, and we were very, very fortunate, very lucky."

The legendary athlete expressed that he experienced sore throat and cough, which are reportedly some of the more common symptoms. His wife, however, was asymptomatic despite testing positive.

The multiple PGA Tour champion sympathized with families who lost loved ones to the pandemic, saying he and Barbara's hearts are with them.

Jack Nicklaus may go against health guidelines when he hosts a memorial golf tournament this week.

Nicklaus also asserted that the effect of the current pandemic situation would be minimal on his appearance at an upcoming golf tournament. Jack Nicklaus may go against health guidelines when he hosts a memorial golf tournament this week.

This week, Jack Nicklaus is set to host a Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio. The course, which Nicklaus designed himself, will have no spectators during the tournament in adherence to social distancing regulations.

Although, the tournament's tradition of having the host shake hands with the winners is not in-line with public health guidelines, Nicklaus confirmed that he would extend a hand to whoever wins the showpiece, and it would be up to them to decide whether or not to shake him.

Nicklaus assured Nantz that if there were any danger of him infecting another person with COVID-19, he absolutely would not make such a gesture, but he is convinced that's not the case.

Although, many remain skeptical of the 80-year-old's stance as scientists are yet to confirm whether having antibodies to the novel Coronavirus guarantees immunity from future infection.