Coronavirus: British Open cancelled, Masters rescheduled, Ryder Cup unmoved
- Ryder Cup unaffected as PGA confirm September 22-27 dates but tournament calendar undergoes huge change in run-up
- ‘Complex solution’ sees nine PGA events dropped and Masters moved to November if medical advice allows
The British Open is cancelled. The Masters has been postponed until two weeks before Thanksgiving. The PGA Championship has been temporarily moved back to August, to be followed by golf’s US Open in September.
And, amid the Covid-19 pandemic, no one can say for sure if those three stateside major championships will even take place this year.
With all this uncertainty, golf – like everything else in the sports world – has become a scramble.
“We hope the anticipation of staging the Masters Tournament in the fall brings a moment of joy to the Augusta community and all those who love the sport,” Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley said in a statement Monday announcing the rescheduled dates of November 12-15. “We want to emphasise that our future plans are incumbent upon favourable counsel and direction from health officials.”
The Masters originally was expected to take place this week. That was scrapped because of the health crisis, even with conjecture the legendary tournament might take place without spectators, or “patrons” as they’re called at Augusta.
For the first time since 1945, the British Open has been cancelled. That was scheduled for July 16-19 at Royal St. George’s in England. That venue will play host to the tournament July 15-18 in 2021, meaning the 150th Open will take place at St. Andrews in Scotland the following year.
