Mini tours playing through during virus outbreak

Anna Nordqvist drained a birdie putt on second playoff hole, pumped her fist and gave a slight wave to half-dozen people clapping near the green.

The tournament title in hand, the two-time major champion turned to playing partner Lisa Pettersson and hesitated.

The customary post-round hug was out of the question, so the Swedish players touched elbows and walked off the green with a laugh.

The major golf tours may have shut down during the coronavirus outbreak, but a handful of mini tours are playing through.

"I'm sure there's a lot of people questioning why we're playing, but everyone is playing golf anyway," Nordqvist said after winning a Cactus Tour event at Moon Valley Country Club on Friday.

"Everyone got their own cart or they're walking, you keep your distance and the golf course is a great place to be right now."
"It's safer for them for a chance of getting something doing what I did because they're all individuals, not cramming into a golf cart right next to someone. But we're obviously keeping an eye on how things go."
"They want to play and they're already playing anyway. I've gotten some bad press, but with all the things that are going on they're already playing."