American golfer John Catlin kicked off European Tour for breaking coronavirus rules at English Championship

AMERICAN golfer John Catlin was booted off the European Tour for breaking coronavirus rules.

Catlin and his caddie Nathan Mulrooney visited a local restaurant in Hertfordshire on Tuesday evening.

The pair had been due to compete in the English Championship at Hanbury Manor.

The European Tour has come back after the coronavirus break but with strict rules in place.

Each stop on the UK Swing is its own bubble and players must remain in it.

When organisers discovered the pair had breached regulations, they kicked them out of the tournament.

Catlin, ranked 242nd in the world, said: "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."

Players, caddies, support staff and media are all told to stay inside the bubble at European Tour events.

A designated hotel is also assigned for all personnel at each of the six tournaments being held in the UK this summer.