PGA Championship postponed – is the Ryder Cup next?
The PGA Championship is the latest casualty of the coronavirus pandemic and will be “rescheduled for later this summer”, the PGA of America have announced.
What was supposed to be the year’s second major – at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco – was bumped up to first billing when it was announced the Masters would be delayed. Now it’s anyone’s guess as to in what order this year’s majors will be.
In a statement the PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh said: “Throughout our evaluation process, we have been committed to following the guidance of public health authorities and given the coronavirus shelter-in-place order in effect in San Francisco, postponement is the best decision for all involved.
“This is a reflection of a thoughtful process. We are and have been working in concert with commissioner Jay Monahan and our partners and friends at the PGA Tour to find an alternative date that works for all. We are all very hopeful for a great outcome.
“We are also in dialogue with Mayor Breed and her team at the City of San Francisco and look forward to hopefully bringing the 2020 PGA Championship to TPC Harding Park at a date this summer when it is once again safe and responsible to do so.”
And as the tournaments – particularly the most important and lucrative – continue to join the postponed list, the Telegraph has reported that the Ryder Cup, scheduled to be played at Whistling Straits in the last week of September, will be pushed back to 2021 in order to fit them all in at the end of this year.
With the R&A keen to make sure the Open takes place at Royal St George’s in July, given they have put so much into the 2021 edition being the 150th and held at St Andrews, and with it looking unlikely that any major will take place in their usual spot, four winter majors are a real possibility – and something has to give.
An unnamed source told the newspaper the R&A would be prepared to host the Open “with no spectators at all, if necessary” as “there is so much invested in the 150th celebrations at the Old Course.”
The source added: “There is zero chance the Ryder Cup will be played in front of no fans.”
A decision is expected to be made next week at a European Tour board meeting.
Follow NCG on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Alex Perry
Alex has been the editor of National Club Golfer since 2017. A Devonian who enjoys wittering on about his south west roots, Alex moved north to join NCG after more than a decade in London, the last five of which were with ESPN. Away from golf, Alex follows Torquay United and spends too much time playing his PlayStation or his guitar and not enough time practising his short game.
