Roundup: Whirlwind Of Tournament Postponements, Cancellations And Possible Reschedulings Amid Deteriorating COVD-19 Crisis

In about a fairly small window, several major golf organizations announced tournament cancellations, postponements and rumors of possible reschedulings this fall surfaced.

While moves to reschedule could be seen as premature given the deteriorating pandemic conditions and horrifying worst-case projections, golf tournaments need time to prepare for new dates and, more bluntly, we all need something to look forward to.

Starting in order of importance with the PGA of America officially postponing May’s PGA Championship at Harding Park. (See above embed for full statement.)

Brian Wacker reports for GolfDigest.com on that and the possible re-positioning of the PGA to August before the PGA Tour playoff events, which would all get bumped back a week assuming by then there is any plausible reason for professional golf tournaments.

All of these best-case new dates also are working around the Olympic Games, which are still on schedule according to the IOC.

The PGA Tour took decisive action on a number of events on all tours and offered this as part of their statement:

As we receive more clarity in the coming weeks, the TOUR will be working with our tournament organizations and title sponsors, in collaboration with golf’s governing bodies, to build a PGA TOUR schedule for 2020 that ensures the health and safety for all associated with our sport and a meaningful conclusion to the season.  We will provide further updates when those plans come into focus.

Today’s cancellation of PGA TOUR events through May 10 applies to all six Tours, although PGA TOUR Champions has rescheduled The Regions Tradition. Originally slated for May 7-10, the event will now be played September 24-27.  PGA TOUR Champions previously announced on March 16 that the Mastercard Japan Championship (June 12-14) will not be contested due to the current travel advisories in place from the CDC, the WHO and the U.S. Department of State.

The full list of tournaments cancelled or postponed on all PGA Tours.

The PGA Tour Commissioner, Jay Monahan, issued this statement to players via YouTube, mentions several “business decisions” made as well as offering a “cross-developmental” team to give players a “menu of options” for helping in their communities:

Meanwhile the USGA has cancelled its two four-ball events and local qualifying for the U.S. Open and all qualifying for the U.S. Women’s Open in late May. Both national championships remain scheduled.

This appears to be the first time the local qualifying stage has not been used since 1959 when the initial round was started.

The full USGA statement:

On those dispiriting notes, one glimmer of hope first noted by Twitterers and reported on by ESPN.com’s Bob Harig: hotel rooms have suddenly become hard to find in Augusta, Georgia this October.

The week in question coincides on the current calendars with the European Tour’s Italian Open (uh, not happening) and the Shriner’s Hospital For Children Classic in Las Vegas as part of the 2020-21 PGA Tour schedule.

So how far the leaders of the Masters have proceeded in trying to figure out when to play the tournament in 2020 is unclear. And obviously, how the pandemic plays out will also have a big impact on whether the tournament is rescheduled.

But LPGA Tour player Marina Alex went to Twitter on Tuesday to complain about a room reservation she had in Augusta being canceled for what she said was no reason. And she figured it's due to a rescheduling of the Masters for that time in October.

This fall’s Ryder Cup is a go, say the official Twitter accounts of the event.

However, The Telegraph’s James Corrigan says a delay is likely coming until 2021.

And finally—for today anyway—Randall Mell reports for GolfChannel.com on a creative approach by LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan to consider combining some cancelled events and sponsorships in open calendar spots later this year.

Some will find the rescheduling efforts distasteful given the state of world affairs. My first reaction to initial speculation on a re-imagined late summer/fall schedule was also, “too soon”.

But given the difficulties of putting on major events, the advance planning in these cases appears to be with best case scenarios in mind. If nothing else, the news provides us all a little something to look forward to.