The European Tour will work with the PGA on a global schedule, leading to playing opportunities for better prize funds, as well as collaborating on commercial opportunities

PLANS for a breakaway “super tour” appear to have heralded a major move to create a strategic alliance between the European Tour and the PGA Tour.

In a bid to fend off moves by the The Raine Group – reported to be backed by Saudi Arabian money – the European Tour and PGA have signed a partnership agreement.

And 2021 is set to see changes to the playing schedules on both sides of the Atlantic as a result.

The Tours said on Friday they will work in partnership on a number of areas including global scheduling, prize funds and playing opportunities for their respective members.

In today’s announcement, both tours have agreed to “explore all facets of collaboration, working together on strategic commercial opportunities including collaborating on global media rights in certain territories.”

The PGA Tour has already taken a minority stake in European Tour Productions (ETP), the media production company, which produces and distributes content internationally.

Further details on the other areas will be announced in due course, the European Tour said in a statement from its Wentworth HQ.

But the most likely outcome is FedEx Cup points will be available for American players – and those Europeans with status in the States – at the European Tour’s lucrative events between September and November.

Commissioner Jay joins ET board

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan will take a seat on the European Tour board

The European Tour statement added: “One element of the partnership which can be confirmed is the fact that PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan will take a seat on the board of the European Tour.”

Before the European Tour launched the UK Swing in July – after a three-month break in tournaments because of the COVID-19 crisis – its head Keith Pelley warned players the days of large multi-million prize funds, and many of the players’ perks of a luxury lifestyle on Tour, were under serious threat from the economic effects of the pandemic.

Speculation has been rife since March that the Tour was short of cash, and may have been looking for an injection from, or possible merger with, the PGA Tour.

Without the cash generated by the Rolex Series, which was reduced from eight to just four events in 2020, this year’s prize funds represented a major step backwards, with a huge gulf between a winner’s cheque on the PGA Tour and a European one.

European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley said: “This partnership is an historic moment for the game of golf, and is a fantastic opportunity for both the European Tour and the PGA Tour to explore ways to come together at the very pinnacle of our sport – and work in unison for the benefit of the men’s professional game.”

Mr Pelley added that the announcement was the formalisation of a closer working relationship between the two Tours in recent years.

He added: “It was one which was crystalised earlier this year when both Jay and I were part of the working group containing representatives of the four Majors and the LPGA, a group which helped shape the remainder of the golfing calendar for 2020 during unprecedented times.

“We shared the challenges of working through a year neither of us could have ever imagined and we found definite synergies in many areas of our respective Tours. That gave us the impetus to move forward together and arrive at this momentous announcement we are making today.”

Jay Monahan, Commissioner of the PGA TOUR, said, “We are thrilled to announce this further strengthening of our partnership with the European Tour.

“We look forward to working together for the benefit of the men’s professional game and for golf fans around the world.”

Brooks Koepka has publicly distanced himself from plans for a breakaway Premier Golf League – reported to be backed by Saudi Arabian money. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

Why world’s top three declined PGL approach

EARLIER this year the world’s top three players all came out publicly to state they would not back plans for a Premier Golf League, reported to be touting for the world’s top 48 players to create a breakaway tour.

Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Brooks Koepka all pledged their loyalty to both America’s PGA and European Tours – with McIlroy saying he was unhappy at the prospect of Saudi money being linked as a backer of the Raine Group plan.

Koepka, who rang Rory to discuss the move, also voiced fears that it was wrong to limit the highest and most lucrative level of the game to just 48 players.

Rory said in March: “I think one of the great things about golf is the fact that there are these story lines of the underdog – and the fact that anyone can really qualify for the US Open and have a great tournament, and have a chance to win.

“Those are the wonderful things about golf. For this league to sort of take that narrative away, and as Brooks said, he’d have a hard time looking at some of those guys in the eye that don’t make that top 48.

“The top players going to this other league it basically, not puts these other guys out of a job, but it definitely diminishes what they’re playing for and what they could earn on Tour.”

The new tie up also poses question marks over the future of the Ryder Cup.

The Ryder Cup is jointly owned by the European Tour and the PGA of America – the body of thousands of ordinary club professionals in the USA.

Any future merger between the PGA Tour and the European Tour would shift the power balance Stateside, and give it a share in sharing the spoils of the huge revenues the worldwide sporting event generates.

One seasoned golf industry executive said after the agreement was announced said: “If you’re the PGA Tour, why wouldn’t you want to flip those economics in your favour?”

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The 2020 Ryder Cup will now be played at Wisconsin’s Whistling Straits in 2021

THE 2020 Ryder Cup will not take place in September and the 2021 Presidents Cup has also rescheduled.

Both events will now be played one year later than originally planned with players on both teams – including Rory McIlroy calling for the biennial match between the USA and Europe to be called off if fans could not attend.

The 43rd Ryder Cup, scheduled for the week of September 22-27 at Whistling Straits, in Kohler, Wisconsin, has been rescheduled for the week of September 21-26, 2021.

The PGA of America, Ryder Cup Europe and the PGA Tour jointly announced the changes this afternoon.

The 2021 Presidents Cup – initially scheduled for September 30-October 3, 2021 at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina – will now be played from September 23-25, 2022.

Additionally, as a result of the Presidents Cup date change, the Wells Fargo Championship will be played at its traditional venue at Quail Hollow in 2021 – and at TPC Potomac in 2022, during Presidents Cup year.

Both organisations behind the Ryder Cup agreed that the match should not be played without fans.

The decision to reschedule the Ryder Cup was made based on guidance from the USA’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It was also taken in conjunction with the state of Wisconsin and Sheboygan County – with the health and well-being of all involved as the top priority.

Seth: Decision had to be taken now

PGA of America chief executive Seth Waugh said a decision on calling off September’s Ryder Cup had to be made today – 10 weeks before Europe were due to defend the trophy.

He said: “Unlike other major sporting events that are played in existing stadiums, we had to make a decision now about building facilities to host the 2020 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits.

“It became clear that – as of today – our medical experts and the public authorities in Wisconsin could not give us certainty that conducting an event responsibly with thousands of spectators, in September, would be possible.

“Given that uncertainty, we knew rescheduling was the right call.

“We are grateful to Commissioner Jay Monahan and our partners at the PGA Tour for their flexibility and generosity in the complex task of shifting the global golf calendar.

“As disappointing as this is, our mandate to do all we can to safeguard public health is what matters most.

“The spectators who support both the US and European sides are what make the Ryder Cup such a unique and compelling event.

“And playing without them was not a realistic option.

“We stand united with our partners from Ryder Cup Europe, the NBC Sports Group, Sky and our other broadcast partners around the world.

“We look forward to delivering the Ryder Cup’s renowned pageantry, emotion and competitive drama to a global audience in 2021.”

The last time the Ryder Cup was postponed was after the 9/11 terror attacks on New York. Europe claimed the trophy when it was played at The Belfry a year later in 2002.

Kinnings: Ryder Cup fans’ health comes first

EUROPE’S Ryder Cup director Guy Kinnings was fully behind his American counterparts.

He said: “The Ryder Cup is rightly celebrated as one of the world’s greatest sporting occasions, made special and totally unique in our sport by the fervent atmosphere created by the passionate spectators of both sides.

“While that point is significant, it is not as important as the health of the spectators which, in these difficult times, is always the main consideration.

“We considered all options including playing with a limited attendance. But all our stakeholders agreed this would dilute the magic of this great occasion.

“We therefore stand beside our partners at the PGA of America in the decision to postpone the Ryder Cup for a year, and join with them in extending our thanks to the PGA Tour for their willingness to help by moving the date of the Presidents Cup.”

The last time the Ryder Cup was postponed for 12 months was in the aftermath of the 9/11 terror attacks on New York, with the event moving from 2001 to a year later at The Belfry.

With the decision to play the 2020 Ryder Cup in September 2021, all subsequent Ryder Cups after Whistling Straits will also shift to odd years.

The new dates are:
2023 Marco Simone Golf and Country Club (Rome, Italy)
2025 Bethpage Black – Farmingdale, New York
2027 Adare Manor – County Limerick, Ireland
2029 Hazeltine National Golf Club – Chaska, Minnesota
2031 Europe TBD
2033 The Olympic Club – San Francisco, California
2035 Europe TBD
2037 Congressional Country Club – Bethesda, Maryland

Presidents Cup will be played at Quail Hollow in 2022

AFTER America’s Presidents Cup win in Melbourne, in December, the 14th Presidents Cup, will now be played for the first time in the Southeast United States at Quail Hollow Club, in 2022.

“These two premier international team events are lifted by the spirit of the fans,” said PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan.

“With the uncertainty of the current climate, we fully support the Ryder Cup’s decision to delay a year in order to ensure fans could be a part of the incredible atmosphere in Wisconsin.

“And the delay of this year’s Presidents Cup was the right decision in order to allow for that option.

“We are thankful that our global partners, our friends at Quail Hollow Club and all associated with the Presidents Cup and the Junior Presidents Cup have approached this change with a unified, positive spirit.

“We are confident the move will give us even more runway as we bring the Presidents Cup to Charlotte in 2022.”

PRESIDENTS CUP INFORMATION:
▪ Masters champion Trevor Immelman will be the International Team captain in 2022
▪ The US team captain has yet to be announced
▪ Presidents Cup 2022 qualifying will be determined in discussions with the captains and tournament leadership at a later date
▪ Subsequent events have also been postponed for a year
▪ 2024 – International location – TBD
▪ 2026 – TPC Harding Park – San Francisco, California
For more information visit PresidentsCup.com

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Graeme McDowell – winner of the 2020 Saudi International – has withdrawn from this week’s PGA Tour event the Travelers Championship after his caddy tested positive for COVID-19. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

US OPEN champion Graeme McDowell has withdrawn from this week’s Travelers Championship in America, after his caddy tested positive for COVID-19.

The Northern Ireland ace, who lives in Florida, pulled out of the PGA Tour event in Connecticut, on Tuesday night after it was confirmed caddy longstanding Ken Comboy had been diagnosed as having the coronavirus.

McDowell told an American website:”For the protection of the field and for my own physical and mental well-being, I’m going to take a test tomorrow morning then jump on a private plane.”

The pair had spent six hours driving in a car from the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town in South Carolina, back to their Florida base, after missing the cut on Friday.

Having left the PGA Tour bubble, Comboy was reported to have felt unwell.

The popular caddy returned from Lake Nona to Harbour Town to request a test from the PGA Tour.

McDowell, who then travelled to TPC River Highlands for this week’s Traveler’s Championship, admitted he feared he would become the next player to be tested positive.

Known as G-Mac throughout golf, Graeme said: “I’d been through a huge amount emotionally and mentally, and a couple of weeks back into it after a few months off you’re going to be a little tired getting your golf legs back.

“But the alarm bells have started to ring now that Kenny has failed this test.

“We’re a close-knit team. We roomed together last week, we spent six hours in a car.

“He’s carrying the virus so in some way I have to be carrying it too,” said McDowell, who won the 2010 US Open at Pebble Beach.

McDowell, a past winner at Harbour Town, missed the cut on Friday in the RBC Heritage and travelled back to his Florida home by car with caddy Ken Comboy

McDowell and Champ withdraw

CADDY Ken Comboy and McDowell are one of longest-running partnerships on Tour, and recently celebrated his 14th win at the Saudi International in February.

The Ryder Cup ace played a practice round at TPC River Highlands, on Tuesday, with Shane Lowry and Brooks Koepka and his brother Chase – a former European Challenge Tour player.

Chase came through Monday qualifying to earn his start in Thursday’s event.

Nick Watney became the first PGA Tour play to test positive for COVID-19, last Friday, after the tour staged its second event at Harbour Town – a week after the sport returned with the Charles Schwab Cup in Texas.

And on Monday, Cameron Champ became the second player to fail the coronavirus test after the PGA Tour bubbule moved to the north east, in the USA.

The World No. 79 will have to self-isolate for at least 10 days before he can rejoin the PGA Tour bubble, assuming he then does not test positive again.

Champ is one of the longest hitters on the PGA Tour. He burst into the world’s top 100 after the Web.com Tour graduate made his breakthrough win less than two years ago.

He won the Sandersons Championship, in October 2018, in his second start of the wraparound season – and just his eighth Tour start in total.

The TPC River Highlands course in Hartford, Connecticut, has attracted its strongest-ever field for this week’s Travelers Championship

Strongest line-up for Travelers Championship

NINE of the world’s top 10 are set to tee it up at TPC River Highlands in Hartford, Connecticut.

That is the strongest line-up in the tournament’s history. Bubba Watson has won the event three times in the last decade.

The Travelers will be the third tournament in as many weeks to be played without spectators.

What effect the latest positive tests will have on PGA Tour’s return remains to be seen.

The PGA of America confirmed on Monday that no fans will be present for the first Major of 2020.

The USPGA will be played at TPC Harding Park, in San Francisco, in early August, without any spectators on site.

The PGA Tour was expecting to allow fans to attend Jack Nicklaus’ Memorial Tournament, next month.

But the latest COVID-19 scare – along with growings signs the coronavirus is still spreading in key cities in the USA – will pile pressure on the PGA Tour over its plans to let spectators attend.

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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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Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson claimed victory in the TaylorMade Driving Relief skins match beating Rickie Fowler and Matt Wolff, at Florida’s Seminole GC

THE scenario had been suggested… but World No. 1 Rory McIlroy made it happen when he claimed a $1.1million prize for his chosen charity by winning the TaylorMade Driving Relief skins match.

Golf North’s preview of Sunday’s multi-million dollar fundraiser featuring four of the biggest names on PGA Tour, suggested if the back nine of Seminole played ball, the £100,000 prize per hole could roll over to seven figures.

And, after McIlroy and playing partner Dustin Johnson had been matched by Rickie Fowler and Matt Wolff from the 13^th, they could not be separated as they both parred the tough par three 17^th – which was worth $200,000.

That saw the two pairs head to the 18^th tee at the spectacular Seminole Golf Club, with the skin value for the last hole rising to $500,000 – meaning the pot for the final hole stood at $1.1million.

Fowler had produced three birdies in four holes from the ninth, to lift his team’s earnings to $1.45m stood on the 13th while his partner Wolff, picked up an extra $450,000 for winning the longest drive bonuses on the second and 14th holes.

McIlroy looked to be in the best position to make birdie on 18 after Fowler found the greenside trap by the tight, right pin and Wolff found the edge of the green left from the fairway bunker.

But when Rory’s putt held out the first televised golf in the US since the first round of The Players Championship at Sawgrass, on March 12, went into overtime as the Yanks would say.

http://twitter.com/PGATOUR/status/1262412378701885441 World No. 1 Rory McIlroy hits the winning shot at Seminole GC

And after Fowler missed the green, McIlroy had to get inside Wolff’s ball, which was 18 feet from the pin after his partner Johnson had fell off the front into sand.

Under the rules, the charity challenge went straight to a nearest the pin shoot out from 120 yards on the 17^th.

And the winner of the 2019 Players Championship watched his ball hang on to the shelf left of the pin and come to rest just 13 feet from the pin.

Having seen players observe social distancing rules for three the best part of three hours, Europe’s talisman greeted his winning shot with a high five towards DJ… minus the contact, of course.

McIlroy and Johnson had not won a skin since the sixth hole as Wolff danced to Rickie’s tune when he birdied his third hole in four on the 11th, making up for the lack of cheering from the crowds, who were of course excluded.

But DJ and Rory walked away with the Lions share of the spoils for their chosen charity thanks to a final total of 11 skins against their opponents’ seven.

Left to right: World No. 1 Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler and Matt Wolff

Final skin for $1.1m decided clash

THE final seven skins increased the winners’ total to $1.85 million which will go to the American Nurses Foundation.

Meanwhile Fowler and Wolff pocketed $1.15 million for the CDC Foundation.

The UnitedHealth Group donated the $3million for the skins contest, while TaylorMade stumped up the longest drive money.

Farmers Insurance put up extra cash for every birdie and eagle made.

Fowler, who is sponsored by the group, which promotes the PGA Tour event at Torrey Pines every January, responded by making seven birdies to earn an extra $270,000.

McIlroy’s four birdies earned his good cause $250,000 while Wolff’s three were worth $135,000.

Johnson, who was a little rusty compared to the rest, made one worth $25,000.

The total raised for frontline health workers fighting the COVID-19 pandemic was more than $5.5million.

The watching public who donated $600,000 via a text line in the USA – and corporate sponsors contributions from Mastercard, Rocket Mortgage and PGA Tour Superstore – added another $1million or so.

World No. 1 Rory McIlroy hit the winning shot in the first extra hole after the fundraiser for COVID-19 frontline healthcare workers was decided by a nearest the pin shootout

No. 1 Rory McIlroy admits feeling ‘pressure’

“It’s different,” was the verdict of World No. 1 Rory McIroy when asked about the pressure of playing for charity in the TaylorMade Driving Relief skins.

“When you’re not playing for your own money, but you’re playing for someone else and playing for another cause, it sort of starts to weigh on you a little bit.

“I’m really proud to be a part of an event to entertain the people at home on a Sunday afternoon but also to raise money for people who really need it.”

“It’s a huge effort from everyone involved,” added McIlroy, who had made a big par putt at 17 to carry the skins over to the last hole in regulation.

Wolff hit huge drives measuring 356 yards on the second and 368 yards on the 14th.

“I’m happy to raise a lot of money with the long drives,” said Wolff, who planned to auction off the rainbow-coloured Nike golf shoes he wore for the match.

The bonus cash will help Off Their Plate initiative – through World Central Kitchen – that helps both frontline healthcare workers and restaurant shift employees hit by the lockdown.

As well as giving golf starved TV fans several hours of entertainment, the fundraiser also whetted the appetite for when the PGA Tour returns next month with Charles Schwab Cup, at Colonial Club, in Texas

World No. 1 Rory said last week he plans to play the first three events on the new schedule.

Seminole is one of America’s most exclusive private golf clubs… but also one of its best

Seminole shows off why it’s so good to watching millions

SEMINOLE boasts some famous members including Rory McIlroy’s dad Gerry, while NFL quarter-back legend Tom Brady, has joined the North Palm Beach club recently.

The Florida club has an annual pro-am competition which has been won by Northern Ireland’s four-time Major winner – and by Fowler – in the past.

It was the first time the Donald Ross-designed course at North Palm Beach had been seen on TV – in May 2021 it is due to host the Walker Cup.

Seminole is famous for its wide open fairways with sandy waste areas, that make it reminiscent of Pinehurst No. 2 – Ross’s most famous creation.

And even with a 10-15mph breeze, the effects of the Atlantic breezes on shot selection and making the upturned greens so hard to find, let alone putt on, Seminole gave an insight into why it is one of the most highly-regarded courses in the States.

Great Britain and Ireland have only won the Walker Cup three times on US soil in almost 100 years of playing the best American amateurs every other year.

Any GB&I player who is hoping to be picked – should the contest be able to go ahead in 12 months’ time – will have been the most interested spectators on this side of the pond.

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Dustin Johnson who will take part in the TaylorMade Driving Relief skins match at Florida’s Seminole Golf Club

RORY McIlroy and Dustin Johnson will battle for a share of $3million when they take on Rickie Fowler and Matthew Wolff in Sunday’s TaylorMade Driving Relief charity match at Seminole Golf Club.

The format for the contest has been confirmed by the PGA Tour – the best ball-skins will see the value of each hole rise from $50,000 to $500,000 for the 18th.

The first six holes will be worth $50,000 each. The team with the lowest score will win the cash – if the hole is halved it rolls over to the next.

The next 10 holes will be worth £100,000 each, with the 17th rising to £250,000.

A closely-fought back nine could easily see the value of the final couple of holes rise anywhere up to $1million, or maybe more.

McIlroy and Johnson are playing for the American Nurses Foundation, while Fowler and Wolff are playing the CDC Foundation.

Each team will start with $500,000 in the bank and the team with the most skins money after 18 holes will be declared the winner.

On top of each skins value, players will earn $25,000 from Farmers Insurance for every birdie they make, while an eagle will earn the players’ charities an extra $50,000.

And should anyone pull off a hole-in-one at any of the four par threes – or an albatross on either a par four or par five, they will scoop an extra $150,000 for their respective good causes.

Sudden-death shoot-out at 17th

Certainly the fans watching on TV will be thrilled if a big rollover results on the back nine and they witness a seven-figure sum on the line on the final hole.

The bonus cash for eagles and birdies will not be counted for the overall result but players from both sides can earn bonuses on each hole, regardless of how the team score stands.

So, for instance, if one player makes a birdie four to win or tie the hole, his partner can still putt for a four to earn the bonus for charity.

There is one final complication… the time and when darkness may fall in Florida – if the final skin is still tied after the four players complete the 18th, they will go into a sudden-death shoot-out.

A statement on the PGA Tour website explained: “In the event that the 18th hole is tied and play ends before 5.45pm, the players will play the 17th hole (from approximately 125 yards).

“If that hole is tied, the players will play the 17th hole again and the skin will be decided by a closest to the hole competition (played from same shortened yardage).

“In the event that 18th hole ends after 5.45pm, there will be a closest to the hole on the 17th hole (from approximately 125 yards).”

Players will be allowed to use distance measuring devices (DMD), but they will not have a caddy at Seminole. They will be allowed to wear shorts and will feature in on-course interviews with the NBC Sports team.

The highly rated Seminole Golf Club at Florida’s Juno Beach, close to Palm Beach, will stage the 2021 Walker Cup, as well the TaylorMade Driving Relief skins match

Seminole to stage 2021 Walker Cup

SEMINOLE is set to be used for the 2021 Walker Cup when Great Britain and Ireland will try to win on US soil for just the third time in nearly 100 years.

The Donald Ross course is considered one of the Scottish best two designs, along with Pinehurst No. 2, and features spectacular views of the Florida coastline.

The greens complexes are consisdered some of the trickiest in the USA, with upturned saucer greens creating fast, breaking putts with considerable elevation changes.

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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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Brooks Keopka will have to wait to see if he can defend the Sam Wanamaker for a third year in a row at some point in 2020 after May’s championship at TPC Harding Park was called off

THE USPGA Championship has become the second Major of the 2020 golf season to be postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

After days of speculation that the PGA of America, which organises the USPGA, was considering switching May’s tournament from San Francisco’s TPC Harding Park to Sawgrass, in Florida – where the Players Championship was cancelled after just 18 holes on Friday.

But PGA of America bosses announced this evening that they had decided to follow the lead of the Augusta National Golf Club – who postponed next month’s Masters – and abandon plans to host the USPGA Championship in California, from May 14-17.

And four more PGA Tour events have also been called off in April and May after the Masters.

PGA of America chief executive officer Seth Waugh finally ended the speculation with an announcement on Tuesday evening.

Mr Waugh said: “Postponement is the best decision for all involved.

“Throughout our evaluation process, we have been committed to following the guidance of public health authorities.

“This is a reflection of a thoughtful process.

“We are – and have been – working in concert with PGA Tour 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 San Francisco Mayor London Breed and her team and look forward to hopefully bringing the 2020 PGA Championship to TPC Harding Park at a date this summer when it is safe and responsible to do so.”

Last year Brooks Keopka claimed the Sam Wanamaker Trophy for the second year in a row with his victory at New York’s Bethpage Black.

Now the former World No. 1 will have to wait to see when he can defend the title for a third time in 2020.

The PGA of America said the 2020 USPGA Championship was being postponed this evening

Four events after Masters now off

THE latest PGA Tour tournaments to join the list of cancelled professional golf events are:–

•RBC Heritage (April 16-19), Hilton Head South Carolina •Zurich Classic of New Orleans (April 23-26), at TPC Louisiana

•Wells Fargo Championship, (April 30-May 3), Quail Holllow, North Carolina

•AT&T Byron Nelson (May 7-10) at Trinity Forest GC, in Texas

It means the next professional golf event in America is not due to be played until the week of May 18 at the earliest –when the Charles Schwab Challenge is set to take place at Colonial Country Club, in Fort Worth, Texas.

There are then four more events scheduled on the PGA Tour before the USGA’s US Open is set to be held at Winged Foot, in New York.

The USGA has already cancelled the first stage of the 109 qualifying events that are held annually across the USA from late April, to make the up the field, after final qualifiers are held in May.

Two international qualifiers are also held in Japan and at Surrey’s Walton Heath.

A USGA spokesman said it would, “look to redesign qualifying going forward as events unfold.”

Qualifying for the US Women’s Open has also been cancelled. The US Women’s Open is scheduled at Champions Golf Club in Houston, Texas, from June 4-7.

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PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monaghan announced the decision to cancel The 2020 Players Championship after the first round had finished late on Thursday

GOLF fans across the UK were shocked to wake up to news that the PGA Tour had cancelled The Players Championship after the first round had been completed.

The decision was made in the early hours UK time after play had finished for the day at Sawgrass with Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama leading after a superb nine-under par 63.

After what had been a bad for the British players – defending champion Rory McIlroy had to battle to get back to level par to end the day in a large tie for 83rd – the PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan made the shock announcement that ALL PGA Tour events were being cancelled up until the Texas Open, in early April.

The decision – in reaction to the declaration of the Coronavirus epidemic being declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisations – sent more shockwaves around the world of golf.

A week ago, the European Tour cancelled this week’s Magical Kenya Open, and earlier this week the Hero Indian Open – scheduled for the end of the month – was also postponed.

The European Tour has also cancelled the Czech Masters in Prague, in August, and two Challenge Tour events in Slovakia and the Czech Republic in June and July – the latter two tournaments have the same sponsor.

Mr Monaghan had said at a press conference after the start of Thursday’s play that The Players would continue on Friday with no spectators being admitted to the course at Sawgrass.

But later that evening after hastily arranged emergency discussions, the decision was made to call a halt to the tournament immediately.

Mr Monaghan spoke on Friday morning at the PGA Tour’s Florida HQ at Ponte Vedra.

He said: “When you looked to that moment in time where you have two theme parks that are located between Jacksonville and Tampa cancel, to me that really was the thing that was the final thing that we had heard that said, you know what, even though we feel like we have a safe environment and we’ve done all the right things, we can’t proceed – and it’s not right to proceed.”

A number of international players in the strongest field at a PGA Tour event annually, approached the PGA Tour with concerns after Disney and Busch Gardens had announced they were closing to the public, because of the threat posed by Coronavirus (COVID 19).

Monahan added: “And when you use ‘doing the right thing’ as the litmus test, to me that was the final – those two things together were really the things that drove the decision.”

Some players had brought their families to Florida who were spending time at the two large theme parks – and were also concerned about travel arrangements, with more restrictions being imposed by governments, after the President Donald Trump imposed a ban on people entering America from European countries.

Defending the PGA Tour’s decision to change its policy during the build-up and start to The Players, its chief said they were making decisions in real-time in response to a rapidly-changing and escalating worldwide situation.

Monaghan had said when announcing the spectator ban from Friday: “This is a difficult situation, one with consequences that impact our players, fans, and the communities in which we play,

“As I said earlier this week, we’ve had a team in place that has been carefully monitoring and assessing the situation and its implications for several weeks.”

As golf fans digested that not only would the 2020 Players Championship not be rescheduled later in the year, the next four tournaments were also being halted as golf joined basketball and ice hockey in suspending their seasons.

Events hit by Coronavirus outbreak

THE decision to abandon The Players Championship took the number of professional golf events now cancelled in 2020 to 25 – including the first LPGA Major of the year – the Ana Inspiration.

The events cancelled so far are:–
PGA Tour
The Players Championship (Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida March 11-14): Cancelled
Valspar Championship (Palm Harbor, Florida, March 19-22): Cancelled
WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play (Austin, Texas, March 25-29): Cancelled
Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship (Dominican Republic, March 26-29): Cancelled
Valero Texas Open (April 2-5): Cancelled

European Tour:
Magical Kenya Open (Nairobi, March 5-8): Cancelled
Hero Indian Open (New Delhi, March 19-22): Postponed
Maybank Championship (Malaysia, April 16-19): Postponed
Volvo China Open (Shenzhen, April 23-26): Postponed
Czech Masters (Prague, August 20-23): Cancelled

Challenge Tour:
D+D Real Czech Challenge (June 4-7): Cancelled
D+D Real Slovakia Challenge (July 2-5): Cancelled

LPGA:
Honda LPGA Thailand (Pattaya, February 20-23): Cancelled
HSBC Women’s World Championship (Singapore, February 27-March 1): Cancelled
Blue Bay LPGA (China, March 5-8): Cancelled
Founders Cup (Phoenix, Arizona, March 19-22): Postponed
Kia Classic (Carlsbad, California, March 26-29): Postponed
ANA Inspiration (Rancho Mirage, California, April 2-5): Postponed

Korn Ferry Tour:
Chitimacha Louisiana Open – Savannah Golf Championship (March 19-April 5): Cancelled

Symetra Tour: 
IOA Championship (Beaumont, California, March 27-29): Postponed
Windsor Golf Classic (Windsor, California, April 2-4): Postponed

Other events:
Women’s Amateur Asia Pacific (Thailand, February 12-15): Rescheduled October 7-10

PGA Tour Series-China
Two qualifying events postponed – season reduced from 14 to 10 events

PGA Tour Latinoamerica
Buenos Aires Championship (Argentina, March 26-29): Cancelled
Termas de Rio Hondo (Argentina, April 2-5): Cancelled

Taiwan’s C T Pan: Why I withdrew

TAIWAN’S C T Pan withdrew from The Players Championship before play began this week.

He said on Twitter: “I chose to withdraw from the Players Championship because my wife and I want to protect ourselves from the risk of exposure to the coronavirus.

“We are fine and our families are fine. Our lifestyle is like a circus, traveling from one place to another.

“We believe this is a time to exercise caution by not playing this week.”

Pelley: Travel bans hit Hero Indian Open

EUROPEAN Tour chief executive Keith Pelley (pictured) explained the reasoning behind the decision to call off the Hero Indian Open as the country’s government introduced travel restrictions.

He said: “In these difficult global circumstances, we fully understand and appreciate the recent restrictions introduced in respect of travel into India.

“As these new measures now prevent many members of both tours being able to play in the tournament, everyone involved in the staging of the Hero Indian Open felt it was the correct decision to postpone the tournament.”

The Hero Indian Open is co-sanctioned by the Asian and European Tours meaning organisers faced having players from some countries being unable to play despite being entered into the tournament, which was won in 2019 by Stephen Gallacher.

The tour chief had already cancelled the Maybank Championship and Volvo China Open in the first few weeks after the Coronavirus oubreak in China had been confirmed.

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Tiger Woods will be inducted in the Class of 2021 at the World Golf Hall of Fame in Florida

TIGER Woods will enter the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2021, it was announced on Thursday.

The Flordida-based golf heritage attraction will enshrine Woods – the 82-time PGA Tour winner – as part of its Class of 2021.

Woods received the news of his impending induction in the Male Competitor category via phone from PGA Tour Commissioner and World Golf Foundation board chairman Jay Monahan.

“I am both honoured and humbled to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame,” said Woods, who sensationally won the 2019 Masters to make it 14 more Majors since his first win at Augusta in 1997.

“This past year has been such an incredible journey and the support I’ve received from my family, friends and fans has been overwhelming.

“This achievement is the ultimate recognition to never give up and keep chasing,” said 44-year-old Woods.

A winner of 93 worldwide events including a record-tying 82 on the PGA TOUR, Woods is a three-time winner of the career Grand Slam.

Woods completed the “Tiger Slam” in 2000-01 when he became the first golfer since Bobby Jones to hold all four major championship titles at the same time.

Monahan said: “Tiger has done more for the game of golf than anyone ever thought possible, and his historic feats on the course are only one aspect of his impact.

“His imprint on the game is immeasurable, and his unparalleled legacy is one we look forward to celebrating as he’s inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame next year.”

Woods’ incredible career recognised by World Golf Hall of Fame

A TWO-time champion of The Players and the first two-time winner of the FedExCup, Tiger Woods has competed on eight Ryder Cup and nine Presidents Cup teams.

The latter includes when he served as a playing captain of the victorious US Presidents Cup Team in 2019.

He is an 11-time PGA Tour Player of the Year winner and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2019 following his fifth career victory at The Masters.

Greg McLaughlin, chief executive of the World Golf Foundation said: “The World Golf Hall of Fame is honoured to recognise the incredible career of Tiger Woods.

“His impact on the game of golf and everyone associated with it will have a lasting effect on generations to come.”

The Class of 2021 is elected by the Hall of Fame’s selection committee, which discussed the merits of 10 finalists.

The selection committee is a 20-member panel co-chaired by Hall of Fame members Beth Daniel, Nick Price, Annika Sorenstam and Curtis Strange, and includes media representatives and leaders of the major golf organisations.

The finalists were nominated by the Hall of Fame’s nominating committee, which vetted every candidate that met the qualifications of the Hall of Fame’s three induction categories.

•You can find out more about the World Golf Hall of Fame in St Augustine, by clicking here.

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