Lee Westwood’s victory in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in January was his 25th victory on the European Tour and increased his chances of making an 11th Ryder Cup. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

LEE Westwood is prepared to miss key events on the PGA Tour because of the planned quarantine restrictions to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in the USA.

And his reasoning could be the biggest hint yet that the European Tour is ready to return to action in July at the British Masters, which Westwood is set to host for a second time at Close House.

Westwood, who is in line to qualify for his 11th Ryder Cup appearance after his victory in Abu Dhabi earlier this year, has indicated he will miss the first two events when the PGA Tour returns in June.

But in a TV interview in the USA, Westwood said: “Right now, I won’t be playing them.

“Not with having to leave here two weeks before, quarantine, then play the two tournaments, then come back here and quarantine again.”

Former European No. 1 Tommy Fleetwood has also said he won’t return to the USA to compete in the first few events.

The first four are to be played behind closed doors with no spectators.

Next month’s Charles Schwab Challenge will be the first scheduled PGA Tour event since The Players was called off after the first round, in March.

The Heritage at Hilton Head, in South Carolina, follows a week later.

But all of the 25 international players due to play in Texas, would need to be in the USA by Monday, May 25, to meet the quarantine regulations on foreigners travelling to America.

Westwood revealed his reasoning by saying: “It’s six weeks for two tournaments, and to me, that’s just not worth it.

“And it’s not worth taking the risk if everybody thinks that those kind of precautions have got to be in place.

“I don’t feel like golf’s a priority if it’s that severe.’”

Lee Westwood with Close House owner Graham Wylie – the pair will host the 2020 Betfred British Masters

Westwood set to host British Masters for a second time

WESTWOOD has the added complication that he is due to host the British Masters, which is scheduled to be played from July 30-August 2.

The European Tour event at Newcastle’s Close House – close to where the World No. 31 is based – is now expected to be the first action for the Wentworth-based Tour.

All European Tour events were called off after the end of February, when the Oman Open was held in the Middle East.

If the British Masters goes ahead as planned, Westwood, and any other top European players who enter, will be unable to play in the PGA Championship – unless the US quarantine rules are relaxed by then.

The USPGA was moved from mid-May to the early August slot after the cancellation of the Men’s Golf at the Tokyo Olympics, allowed the Major to move back to an August date.

Last year was the first time the USPGA had been held in its new May date, and after the Masters and US Open were postponed – and the Open Championship at Royal St George’s was moved back to 2021 – the USPGA is set to be the first Major of the 2020 season.

Fans are not expected to be allowed at the British Masters.

And Westwood is conscious of the need to balance safety – while the risk of a second wave in the coronavirus crisis exists – and trying to put on some golf for the public to watch while the lockdown.

Westwood added: “Obviously, people want something to watch, and it’s a good way to kick-start your economy.

“But we don’t want a second wave, so we have to make sure we are very, very safe.”

‘Robust testing and hygiene processes’

Matt Fitzpatrick won the British Masters at Woburn, in 2015

The European Tour has been working ceaselessly trying to reschedule its season.

But chief executive Keith Pelley has said he will not disclose the details until the Tour is happy it has “robust testing and hygiene processes” in place.

Westwood’s reason for returning to the UK suggests, however, the British Masters could well be the European Tour’s first event on the new 2020 calendar.

Previous winners of the British Masters include Oxfordshire’s Eddie Pepperell, who claimed the title at Walton Heath in 2018.

And Yorkshire’s Matt Fitzpatrick recorded his first European Tour win at Woburn, in 2015.

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Ben Hogan won five times at Colonial – which will welcome the first PGA Tour event after the coronavirus lockdown following the announcement on the new 2020 schedule

THE PGA Tour will restart in Texas in two months’ time with the Charles Schwab Challenge Cup at Colonial Country Club –with at least the first four tournaments being played behind closed doors.

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan stressed the decision on whether spectators will be allowed in to watch events starting with July’s John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run, in Illinois, would be reviewed regularly over the coming weeks.

The final decision would depend on the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis, he stressed.

Among the casualties are June’s RBC Canadian Open and the Barbasol Championship, which was set to be played in the same week at the 149^th Open Championship – which has now been postponed until 2021.

The Memorial Tournament staged at Jack Nicklaus’ Muirfield Village will now move from late May into the date vacated by The Open, at Royal St George’s, at Sandwich, Kent.

The third World Golf Championship of the planned season – the WGC-FedEx St Jude Invitational will also move from early July to the end of the month – when the Olympics Golf tournament would have been held in Tokyo.

Hilton Head’s RBC Heritage, which would have been staged this week as the first PGA Tour event after The Masters, will now be played from June 18-21 – the original date of the US Open, which has now moved to September.

Mr Monahan said: “The health and safety of all associated with the PGA Tour and our global community continues to be our number one priority, and our hope is to play a role – responsibly – in the world’s return to enjoying the things we love.

“Today’s announcement is another positive step for our fans and players as we look toward the future.

“But as we’ve stressed on several occasions, we will resume competition only when – working closely with our tournaments, partners and communities – it is considered safe to do so under the guidance of the leading public health authorities.”

First four events to be played behind closed doors

A PGA Tour spokesman said: “At this time, the Tour plans to resume play with the first four events closed to the general public, but will continue to monitor the situation and follow the recommendations of local and state authorities in order to determine the most appropriate on-site access in each market.

“As such, the Tour will continually review available COVID-19-related protocols that could be implemented at PGA Tour events to ensure the health and well-being for all involved.”

Speculation mounted this week that the PGA Tour would announce a resumption of play – after play was suspended for originally a month after officials at its Ponta Vedra Sawgrass HQ at Ponta Vedra canclled The Players Championship after the first round.

The PGA Tour has also announced that the three events with limited fields – Memorial (120), RBC Heritage (132) and the Charles Schwab Challenge (120) – will now feature 144 players to increase playing opportunities for its members.

Colonial, in Fort Worth, is the home of the famous Ben Hogan’s Alley – the nine-time Major winner won five times at the Texas club. Kevin Na claimed the Charles Schwab Challenge trophy in 2019.

Kevin Na winner of the 2019 Charles Schwab Challenge. Picture by BEN JARED / PGA TOUR

Rocket Mortgage Classic switches

THE other event which was scheduled to take place between May and June – and now has a new date – is the Rocket Mortgage Classic, at Detroit Golf Club.

Nate Lashley, who got into the field as an 11th-hour reserve, won the tournament which was staged for the first time in 2019.

It will now be played from July 2-5 – after the move by the WGC-FedEx St Jude Invitational.

The Travelers Championship at Connecticut’s TPC River Highlands (June 25-28), the John Deere Classic (July 9-12), and the 3M Open, at TPC Twin Cities, in Minnesota (July 23-26) all retain their original dates in the schedule.

The Barracuda Championship at California’s Tahoe Mountain Club, will be played at the same time as the WGC-FedEx St Jude Invitational, at TPC South Winds, in Memphis, from July 30-August 2)

San Francisco’s TPC Harding Park will host the USPGA the following week from August 6-9, after its original May date was moved back last month.

The Wyndham Championship, at Sedgefield Country Club (August 13-16), will be the final event of the regular FedEx Cup season, before the three play-offs.

The Greenbrier’s Military Tribute event will no longer feature on the PGA Tour it was announced today

PGA Tour dates for 20/21 season released

THE PGA Tour also announced the first 13 dates of the 2020-21 season – with three events moving to new dates to accommodate the move to autumn dates by the US Open and Masters.

The biggest surprise is the ending of the Military Tribute at Greenbrier, after 10 years as a PGA Tour event – a decision described as mutual by the Tour and the host club.

PGA Tour chief tournaments officer Andy Pazder said: “We are very grateful to Governor Jim Justice and his Greenbrier Resort for a highly successful 10 years of partnership with the PGA Tour.

“Governor Justice’s vision and leadership helped shine a light on the men and women that serve our country through the military and first responder programs he implemented through the tournament, and The Greenbrier Resort was an incredibly unique and world-class venue that our players will always remember and cherish.”

A statement issued by Greenbrier said the switch to a September date had proved less successful for the West Virginia resort, which staged the original event from 2010 until 2012 over the American Indepdence Day weekend.

The contract guaranteeing the Military Tribute would be held at the famous White Sulphur Springs resort until 2026 has been cancelled after agreement by both the tour and owners.

Pazder also thanked the organisers of the Safeway and Houston Opens and the Mayakoba Classic, in Mexico, for helping to accommodate the two Major events in September and November.

The Safeway Open at California’s Silverado Resort, in Napa, will now be played in the first week of September, which was set for this year’s Greenbrier tournament.

Pazder said: “We’d like to express our appreciation to the leadership of the Safeway Open, Houston Open and Mayakoba Golf Classic for their flexibility, which allowed for the US Open and Masters Tournament to be played in the fall.

“The accommodations will help the global golf community maximize the 2020 calendar, which will be incredibly impactful for our fans and put us in a strong position heading into 2021.

“This portion of our 2020-21 schedule is possible only because of the many partners who have worked tirelessly to grow their events and impact the lives of those in need in their respective communities, and our players, who have embraced the expanded fall schedule in recent years.”

Early 2020/212 PGA Tour season dates

• Sept 7-13: Safeway Open, Silverado Resort and Spa North, Napa, California
• Sept 14-20: US Open, Winged Foot Golf Club, Mamaroneck, New York
• Sept 21-27: Ryder Cup, Whistling Straits, Kohler, Wisconsin
• Sept 21-27: Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship, Corales Golf Club, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
• Sept 28-Oct 4: Sanderson Farms Championship, Country Club of Jackson, Jackson, Mississippi

Oct 5-11: Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, TPC Summerlin, Las Vegas, Nevada
• Oct 12-18: The CJ Cup @ Nine Bridges, Jeju Island, Korea
• Oct 19-25: Zozo Championship, Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club, Japan
• Oct 26-Nov 1: World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions, Sheshan International Golf Club, Shanghai, China
• Oct 26-Nov 1: Bermuda Championship, Port Royal Golf Course, Southampton, Bermuda

• Nov 2-8: Houston Open, Memorial Park Golf Course, Houston, Texas
• Nov 9-15: Masters Tournament, Augusta National Golf Club, Georgia
• Nov 16-22: The RSM Classic, Sea Island Resort, Georgia
• Nov 30-Dec 6: Mayakoba Golf Classic, El Camaleón Golf Club, Mexico

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Eddie Pepperell is focusing on the European Tour”s plans to play between September and December after the coronavirus wiped out the spring season and early summer events. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

FRILFORD Heath’s Eddie Pepperell believes August’s USPGA Championship is the most likely date for any meaningful return to golf.

With all four of the 2020 Majors rearranged – or in the case of The Open at Royal St George’s, which has been cancelled until 2021 – the PGA Tour is reportedly about to announce a return to action in June.

Speculation has been rife in the past 24 hours that Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial, from June 11-14, is the event the PGA Tour will choose to kick off its resumed schedule, after The Players Championship was abandoned after just 18 holes in March.

Pepperell, who finished tied third at Sawgrass a year ago but was not eligible for the 2020 Players Championship – the last event to be played in the USA – still thinks the middle of June may be both “optimistic and unrealistic” for a resumption.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Pepperell said the USPGA at San Francisco’s TPC Harding, was more likely to go ahead – possibly without spectators.

Pepperell said: “We’re still quite a long time away from August. I could see it happening, but maybe with no crowds.

“The issue is how international the field is. You’re going to have Asian, South American or African players who may be under severe travel restrictions. So then, how fair is it?

“Personally, I would go if it’s deemed safe to do so,” added Pepperell, who has been in lockdown with his dog Gus at his Oxfordshire home, near Abingdon.

But the former England international, who has two European Tour wins under his belt, admitted he was not keen on the idea of having to spend up to 14 days in isolation in the USA before playing the USPGA.

Eddie, who made his debut in the USPGA at Bellerive, in 2018, added: “I’m not in that much of a hurry to get back to golf that I’d be willing to quarantine myself in a hotel for a week beforehand.

“That would change the game for me,” said Pepperell, who won the Portuguese Amateur in 2011.

Eddie Pepperell – winner of the 2018 Betfred British Masters – is looking forward to a run of events in the UK later in the year if the European Tour plans to reschedule the season work. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

We may have to take 30-50% pay cut

EUROPEAN Tour chief Keith Pelley wrote to all the players earlier this week warning them to expect major pay cuts and less “perks” on Tour.

Tour chiefs based at Wentworth have been working hard on condensing their own events into a possible 16-week window between September and Christmas.

That plan may see events concentrated in the UK with more than one event in the same week – and possibly more than one tournament played at the same venue.

The most likely scenario could see the Scottish Open, the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, the BMW PGA at Wentworth and the British Masters all played in the UK within a month.

That would minimise disruption for overseas players who may be required to self-isolate before being cleared to play, as well as the need for testing for COVID-19 before players could compete.

Pepperell, who won the British Masters at Walton Heath, in October 2018, and sits on the European Tour’s influential Tournament Committee has backed such an idea.

“It would be great,” he said. “If someone said to me now that, come September, we’re going to be playing 15 events before Christmas, crikey that would be something to look forward to.”

Pepperell, who is well-known for his insightful, funny and sometimes controversial views in his personal blog, and his comments on Twitter, has admitted he is not always the most positive thinker.

But former Drayton Park junior is still hoping that golf can get back to some sort of normality – along with the rest of society – over the coming months, even if life is unlikely to be the same for the foreseeable future.

The 30-year-old said: “Obviously, selfishly, I hope things will be fine.

“I suspect they won’t be. I suspect we’re going to have to take a serious pay cut.

“But if golfers and footballers and high-earners have to take a 30-50 per cent pay cut, this isn’t a disaster.

“I do have concerns. I’m not naturally the most optimistic person in the world.

“But I can see a scenario where the European Tour comes out of this OK, with some legs to stand on.

“The Tour and its sponsors may survive much in the way they did 10 years ago.

“I just hope that individuals, small businesses and people who have really taken risks over the last few years to make something of their lives come out the other end of this.

“Big companies can always survive, but my brother is a golf pro and I know he’s going to face difficulties.”

Eddie Pepperell knows any move to postpone the 2020 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits will help his own selelction hopes. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

‘Better chance to make Ryder Cup if it’s 2021’

PEPPERELL realises any decision to postpone September’s Ryder Cup clash against America could work to his benefit.

Having gone off the boil since his strong finish at Sawgrass just over a year ago, Pepperell – who was being tipped for the 2020 Ryder Cup at the start of the 2019 season – has slipped well down the rankings with only one top 10 finish since July.

He currently sits in 63rd place on the European Money list on the Ryder Cup rankings – two years ago he came close to making Thomas Bjorn’s team for Le Golf National in Paris – where his former B.B&O. team-mate Tyrrell Hatton made his debut.

Pepperell is not convinced the contest at Whistling Straits can go ahead

“I can’t see how they can keep the qualification process the same with theoretically only one Major before the Ryder Cup that will count,” he told Sky Sports News.

“I can’t see how Padraig Harrington is going to be keen to keep the same system – he’s going to have to change the way he picks.

“If it is postponed, then it gives me theoretically more chances to get in the team,” Eddie added.

“Maybe come September when things are clearing up, we’re going to be itching for something like the Ryder Cup.

“It could come at a brilliant time and I know Whistling Straits is just amazing – so it is going to be a great Ryder Cup there.

“From what I’m hearing, the 2022 Ryder Cup isn’t going to budge, so it’d be interesting to have back-to-back Ryder Cup years.”

• Eddie Pepperell switched from being a Mizuno staff player to play Ping clubs in 2020.

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