Around most of the globe, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has led to normal daily life grinding to a halt. As lockdowns and social distancing measures have been imposed, inevitably, the world of sports has been greatly affected, with professional golf amongst those forced to postpone or even cancel scheduled events.
Given the annual calendar is typically packed with tournaments, coming up with alternative dates amidst so much uncertainty is far from easy. In the midst of what is an unprecedented situation, the professional golfing associations and event organisers have united, striving to work through this difficult time and reschedule events wherever practical or possible.
On Monday 6th August, Augusta National Golf Club, European Tour, LPGA, PGA of America, PGA TOUR, The R&A and USGA published a joint statement. Via the official PGA Tour website, they stressed that while “the health and wellbeing of everyone” remains their priority, the golfing community has united in order to reschedule as many tournaments as they can.
Cancelled Tournaments
The first and most notable of the PGA Tour events to have been cancelled was The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Florida, originally scheduled to be held from 12th to 15th March. At that time and as the Golf Channel reported, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan announced that it was impossible to reschedule this event, which boasts the biggest purse in golf at $15 million.
Shortly afterwards, two other key PGA Tour events planned for the remainder March also fell by the wayside, cancelled as the coronavirus situation continued to evolve. The Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort in Florida was due to be held between 19th and 29th March, while the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play at Austin Country Club in Texas was scheduled for 25th to 29th March. Neither have been rescheduled.
PGA Tour events cancelled through April and into May include the Valero Texa open at TPC San Antonio, the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town, the Zurich Classic of New Orleans at TPC Louisiana, the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow Club, along with the AT&T Byron Nelson event at Trinity Forest Golf Club in Dallas. Likewise, there are currently no plans to reschedule any of these tournaments for later this year.
Due to be held at Royal St George’s in Kent, The Open had been scheduled to take place from 13th to 19th July, although the event this year has been definitively cancelled. Given that attempting to reschedule the event later this year would be impractical, the 2021 edition of The Open will now be held at the same venue instead.
Postponed Tournaments
The 2020 Masters would have underway at Augusta National in Georgia, between 6th and 12th April per the original dates planned. However, this prestigious tournament has now been rescheduled for later this year and will take place between 9th and 15th November. All the golfers who had qualified are expected to compete, with Rory McIlroy still considered the favourite according to the latest online golf betting odds.
Nevertheless, other major tournaments due to be held in the United States this year are still going ahead, albeit with their dates revised. The PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco, which had been scheduled for May, will now be held from 6th to 9th August. Interestingly, this tournament was traditionally played during August in the past, before switching to May in recent years.
Originally planned to between 18th and 21st June at Winged Foot Golf Club in New York, the US Open has now been provisionally pushed back to between 17th and 20th September, although this new date and playing at the same venue could yet be subject to change. New York has been one of locations hardest hit by COVID-19 in the United States, yet recent CNN reports indicate that the number of new cases may now be declining.
As the most popular team event in world golf, the 2020 Ryder Cup will remain on course to go ahead as originally planned. Despite initial doubts and some considerable discussions, the Ryder Cup will be played at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin, maintaining previously scheduled dates of between 22nd and 27th September.
Golf Schedules Could Still Change
While the coronavirus pandemic remains an ongoing situation, golf organisations have continued to stress that all their events are still subject to potential changes. Much will depend on circumstances nearer the time when tournaments are due to be held, along with the situational and logistical practicalities at venues. With this in mind, fans of golf should keep posted for further news in the coming weeks and months