PGA Tour To Unveil June Restart Schedule And Replace Weeks Of Other Tournaments Cancelled By COVID-19
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I hope that headline was not too subtle.
Yes, postponed or cancelled events like the Olympic Games, U.S. Open and Open Championship will be replaced by PGA Tour events. It’s a little hard to picture, but we’ll go with it and watch how this is rolled out. Namely, will there be any suggestion of measures taken to ensure all can safely travel to and play in these events?
What precautions are being taken for everyone else besides players?
One big change from rumored concepts: the RBC Heritage Classic that would be played this week will now move to the end of June as the second stop after Colonial. Travel between states remains a huge concern, while the U.S. has a travel ban on visitors from many parts of the globe.
From Brian Wacker’s GolfDigest.com exclusive:
After the Charles Schwab Challenge, the Tour has an opening on its calendar for a “Potential PGA Tour Tournament” from June 18-21, when the U.S. Open was to be held before the USGA announced its postponement to September. Scheduling conversations at the Tour remain ongoing and fluid, but according to multiple sources, the RBC Heritage, originally scheduled to be played this week at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island, is likely to fill that slot.
He goes on to present a schedule which, absent a massive outpouring of COVID-19 tests and data, along with signs that travel will return to normal, makes this an wildly optimistic. Also, several of the markets targeted just may not be ready for any kind of event by then given the still-unfolding and increasing loss of life.
On a lighter note, no word yet on the Wyndham Rewards points ramifications, though layoffs, salary cuts and other struggles for the hotel chain might influence that.
The schedule sent to players:
