More On The 2021 U.S. Open Spectating Possibilities

No one expects a full U.S. Open at Torrey Pines and certainly not at Olympic for the women’s edition where the course sits in two counties and fans were not looking likely at all just a few weeks ago. But there are signs that the USGA is in a wait and see mode before setting any kind of number, with some flexibility to add.

In today’s Quadrilateral I wrote about this issue, the need-to-know stuff from yesterday’s announcement, and addressed the thorny topic of fans getting vaccinated but not players.

From Bob Harig’s ESPN.com story:

"One of the reasons we are not going to make any official comment on numbers is because we anticipate it will continue to change and evolve over the coming weeks. But it's all positive movements. We are planning based on what the guidelines are there today, but realizing it's such a fluid situation that changes day by day. Unlike a year ago, the changes are in a positive way."

Spectator capacities at pro sporting events in California are dictated by a county's risk tier, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune. San Diego allows up to 33% capacity, but that can increase to 67% if everyone is vaccinated or tested. That system is expected to be discontinued on June 15, which is Tuesday of U.S. Open week.

Getting near 67% would be pretty robust galleries but it’s unclear if that number is attainable due to potential limits created by parking spaces or a lack of “build out” on site.