Masters moved to November, The Open cancelled due to coronoavirus

The schedule for the 2020 majors have been rejigged due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but does anyone think they will go ahead at all?

The 2020 Open Championship has officially been cancelled with the tournament at Royal St.George’s moved to 2021.

The official announcement came a little later than expected but ultimately it didn’t a surprise.

Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said, “Our absolute priority is to protect the health and safety of the fans, players, officials, volunteers and staff involved in The Open. We care deeply about this historic Championship and have made this decision with a heavy heart. We appreciate that this will be disappointing for a great many people around the world but we have to act responsibly during this pandemic and it is the right thing to do.

“I can assure everyone that we have explored every option for playing The Open this year but it is not going to be possible.

This is the first time The Open will not be played since it was cancelled in 1945 because of World War II and the decision means that the 150th Open Championship, hosted appropriately at The Old Course at St.Andrews will be moved a year later in 2022.

There have not been any cancellations to the other three major championships with the PGA Championship, US Open and the Masters Tournament all being moved to later in the year.

In a joint statement by Augusta National Golf Club, European Tour, LPGA, PGA of America, PGA TOUR, The R&A and USGA, a revised 2020 schedule has been announced.

“This is a difficult and challenging time for everyone coping with the effects of this pandemic. We remain very mindful of the obstacles ahead, and each organization will continue to follow the guidance of the leading public health authorities, conducting competitions only if it is safe and responsible to do so.”

The PGA Championship has been moved to August, 6-9 (at Harding Park in San Francisco), the U.S. Open is moving to Sept. 17-20 (Winged Foot in Mamaroneck, New York), and The Masters is now scheduled to start November 12-15.

The current situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the USA is dire and it’s hard to see how any of these events will be played at all. But optimism is required in these strange times and like the rest of the world’s golf community, we’re hoping we get to see (and play) golf again as soon as possible.

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