SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER, the 2013 U.S. Junior Amateur champion and a member of the victorious 2017 USA Walker Cup team, has withdrawn from the 120th U.S. Open Championship. 

Scheffler is asymptomatic and safe at home but has tested positive for COVID-19 and out of concern for everyone in the championship has withdrawn.  

“We are sorry to lose a member of the USGA family in this year’s U.S. Open field,” said John Bodenhamer, USGA senior managing director, Championships. “Scottie has had a phenomenal rookie season and we look forward to welcoming him back to the U.S. Open Championship for many years to come.” 

Scheffler, an All-American at the University of Texas who has played in three U.S. Opens and was the low amateur when he tied for 27th in 2017 at Erin Hills, will be replaced in the field by Branden Grace, a 32-year-old professional from South Africa, the first alternate as determined by the Official World Golf Ranking as of Aug. 23, 2020. 

Scheffler, 24, posted seven top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour in the 2019-20 season, including a tie for fourth in the PGA Championship and a fifth-place showing in the Tour Championship.  

Grace, who was No. 91 in the OWGR of Aug. 23, will play in his eighth U.S. Open. He has posted two top-five finishes, including a tie for fourth in 2015 at Chambers Bay and a tie for fifth in 2016 at Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club.  

Grace has won nine European Tour events and the PGA Tour’s RBC Heritage in 2016. He shot a 62 in the third round of the 2017 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, setting a record for the lowest round in a major championship. 

The 120th U.S. Open will be held at Winged Foot Golf Club (West Course), in Mamaroneck, N.Y., Sept. 17-20, 2020.