The 2020 Masters winner will don the famous Green Jacket in November instead of April after the main Tours agreed a new set of dates for the Majors – although The Open is off

THE Masters will be rescheduled to November it was announced this afternoon – just minutes after it was confirmed the 149th Open Championship at Royal St George’s will now take place at Sandwich in 2021.

And the US Open is moving to September six weeks after the PGA of America hopes to stage the USPGA at San Francisco’s TPC Harding Park in light of coronavirus pandemic, spreading across the USA.

The PGA Tour is looking to reschedule three of its events in June, July and early August, allowing for the FedEx Play-offs to be played as planned in August.

Both the PGA of America and the European Tour have confirmed the Ryder Cup will be played – if possible – at Whistling Straits, in Wisconsin, from September 25-27, as originally planned.

But the rescheduling means the world’s top golfers could be left playing five weeks in a row – from the USPGA until the climax to the FedEx play-offs at the Tour Championsip, at Eastlake, from September 4-7.

The US Open will be played after a week off, with the leading Americans and Euoropeans heading from New York to Wisconsin for the Ryder Cup.

The unprecedented game of musical chairs was confirmed after weeks of speculation in joint statement issued by Augusta National Golf Club, the European Tour, the LPGA, PGA of America, PGA Tour, The R&A and USGA.

A joint statement issued by the seven organisations on Monday afternoon read: “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.

“In recent weeks, the global golf community has come together to collectively put forward a calendar of events that will, we hope, serve to entertain and inspire golf fans around the world.

“We are grateful to our respective partners, sponsors and players, who have allowed us to make decisions – some of them, very tough decisions – in order to move the game and the industry forward.

“We want to reiterate that Augusta National Golf Club, European Tour, LPGA, PGA of America, PGA TOUR, The R&A and USGA collectively value the health and well-being of everyone, within the game of golf and beyond, above all else.

“We encourage everyone to follow all responsible precautions and make effort to remain healthy and safe.”

US Open set to stay at Winged Foot

THE US Open, previously scheduled for June 18-21 at Winged Foot, in Mamaroneck, has been officially rescheduled for September 17-20.

United States Golf Association chief executive Mike Davis confirmed the USGA’s preference to keep the US Open in New York, which has borne the brunt of the wave of COVID-19 deaths in America over the past week.

Mr David said: “We are hopeful that postponing the championship will offer us the opportunity to mitigate health and safety issues while still providing us with the best opportunity to conduct the U.S. Open this year.

“We are incredibly thankful to the membership and staff at Winged Foot for their flexibility and support.

“We are also grateful for the wonderful collaboration among the professional tours and other majors in working through a complicated schedule.”

A statement from the game’s governing body in North America, read: “The USGA is currently evaluating how the postponement will affect exemption categories, and definitive changes will be communicated as soon as possible.

“As previously announced, the USGA will strive to conduct qualifying that fits health and safety guidelines while accommodating the rescheduled championship dates.”

The USGA is set to announce details of US Open Qualifying. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

‘Golf can help world recover from COVID-19’

PGA of America chief executive Seth Waugh also believes golf has an important role to play as the world tries to recover from the COVID-19 crisis.

“Sports, and particularly the game of golf, are important vehicles for healing and hope,” said Mr Waugh who confirmed the USPGA – which had seen its early May slot cancelled shortly after the decision to cancel April’s Masters was made – will now move to the first week in August.

“With the help of the City and County of San Francisco, our friends at the PGA Tour, and our partners CBS Sports and ESPN, we are holding August 3-9 as dates for a rescheduled 2020 PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park,” Seth Waugh added.

“We will continue to follow the guidance of public health officials, but are hopeful that it will be safe and responsible to conduct the PGA Championship in August and the Ryder Cup as planned, from September 22-27, at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin, with our NBC Sports partners.

“With our country going through extremely difficult times, it will be an honour for all of us at the PGA of America to hopefully help turn a page in August, with the PGA Championship, and September with the Ryder Cup.”

The men’s golf championship at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games was due to be played the week before but its cancellation allowed the USPGA to move into what had been a free week on the PGA Tour schedule.

The Masters will move to a date in the autumn which will be a first for Augusta

Augusta National: ‘Masters can bring moment of joy’

THE Masters was the first Major of 2020 to be postponed, and the event founded by Bobby Jones last failed to be played back in 1945 because of the war.

The host club were determined to try to avoid that and the new autumn date will be a first – providing the grip the coronavirus pandemic has Stateside abates by then.

Augusta National Golf Club chairman Fred Ridley said: “We remain very mindful of the extraordinary and unprecedented challenges presented by the coronavirus around the world.

“As such, we continue to keep in close contact with local, state and national health authorities to help inform our decisions.

“In collaboration with the leading organisations in golf, Augusta National Golf Club has identified November 9-15 as the intended dates to host the 2020 Masters.

“While more details will be shared in the weeks and months to come, we, like all of you, will continue to focus on all mandated precautions and guidelines to fight against the coronavirus.

“Along the way, we hope the anticipation of staging the Masters Tournament in the fall brings a moment of joy to the Augusta community and all those who love the sport.

“We want to emphasise that our future plans are incumbent upon favourable counsel and direction from health officials.

“Provided that occurs and we can conduct the 2020 Masters, we intend to invite those professionals and amateurs who would have qualified for our original April date – and welcome all existing ticketholders to enjoy the excitement of Masters week.

“After careful consideration and following an extensive review process, we also have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Augusta National Women’s Amateur.

“Ultimately, the many scheduling challenges with NCAA tournaments, the World Amateur Team Championships, the LPGA Q-Series and other events when women’s amateur golf resumes led to this decision.

“Each player who accepted an invitation for the 2020 championship will be invited to compete in the 2021 Augusta National Women’s Amateur, provided she remains an amateur.

“Also, those who purchased tickets will be sent a refund in May and given the opportunity to purchase tickets for the event next year.

“We thank everyone for their understanding of this decision, and we look forward to the championship returning in full strength next spring.

“We know the effects of these announcements will be far-reaching.

“Additional information will be made available on Masters.com and ANWAgolf.com as details become known. Your patience is appreciated as we hope and plan for the 84th Masters in November.

“Thank you for your continued support and we wish you and your loved ones health and safety during these uncertain times.”

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Rory McIlroy is backing suggestions the 2020 Masters could move from April to October because of the coronavirus

WORLD No. 1 Rory McIlroy is one of the players who want the Masters to be played in October.

That could see the Augusta National Golf Club host the Masters for the first time in the autumn in its 87-year history.

And it could see the players head down Magnolia Lane after Europe try to win the Ryder Cup on US soil for only the third time in 20 years – the last was the Miracle of Medinah in 2012.

McIlroy, who needs a Green Jacket to complete a career Grand Slam in the Majors, said in an Instagram Q&A with Sky Sports Jamie Redknapp: “Augusta play their cards close to their chest.

“They don’t let much out of the bag. I hope they play it in October time which is the rumour. I think it would be great.

“‘Potentially you’re looking at four Majors and a Ryder Cup and the FedEx Cup in the space of 12 weeks.

“Say the Open gets postponed and moved back to September.

“You might have the PGA in August, then the FedEx Cup, then the Open Championship, then the Ryder Cup – and then the Masters.

“And if the US Open gets postponed maybe that gets pushed back to October or November.

“If we get back to playing by mid-summer it’s going to be a hectic 12 or 15 weeks.”

Rory McIlory is backing suggestions the Masters should move from April to October in 2020

Before the decision to postpone the Masters was made earlier this month, McIlroy had backed calls for the event to go ahead without the fans after he spoke to reporters after his first round at The Players Championship, which was called off later that night, just hours before Augusta National GC chairman Fred Riley made the call.

The 30-year-old, from Northern Ireland, who has four Major wins to his name – but the last of them came in 2014 – also called on the PGA Tour to test all players and caddies for COVID-19 before the PGA Tour decided later that week to shut down until May.

Rory told Redknapp he has been keeping fit in the gym and playing tennis at his Florida home during the PGA Tour’s shutdown.

“I need something to practice for,” said McIlroy. “I have no idea when we are going to play again and I’d rather build myself up to something.

“I know if I go out there and hit balls, I’m not doing it for any purpose.

“I love golf and it has given me a lot of really great things but I think I love the competition more. If there’s no competition, then there’s nothing to look forward to.

“Right now, I am just enjoying spending some time at home, getting after it in the gym, and spending time by the pool or playing tennis.

“I realise there are a lot of us who are very fortunate to have gyms in our house and all sorts of stuff so that we can keep busy.”

The 13th green at Augusta – the azaleas and rhododendrons will not be in bloom if the 2020 Masters is played in October instead of April because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Masters played outside April twice

THE first Masters was played at the course designed by Bobby Jones and Dr Alister MacKenzie in 1934 and for 81 of the 83 Masters that have been played were held in April.

The decision to put back the 2020 Masters meant the event might not be played for the first time since 1946 – the last of a three-year break during the Second World War.

But with a massive spike in hotel prices around Augusta, during the week of October 5-12, becoming evident online the smart money is on The Masters being held that week.

It is too hot in Georgia for the players to compete at Augusta – and the course is normally closed during the summer until September.

The greenkeepers would have a battle to present the immaculate Augusta fairways in the conditions found in April – and there will be no azaleas and rhododendrons to provide the spectacular colour.

But most TV fans, already craving a return to the sport after a month’s inactivity beause of the coronavirus pandemic, will probably put up with a different looking course as long as they get to see the Green Jacket presented after four days of sublime golf.

•The current PGA Tour schedule can be seen by clicking here.

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Augusta National Golf Club chairman Fred Ridley announced the 2020 Masters had been cancelled in response to the coronavirus pandemic, on Friday afternoon

NEXT month’s Masters at Augusta National has been postponed because of the growing threat of the coronavirus pandemic.

The 84th editon of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, was due to start on April 9 – with the players making the famous drive down Mangolia Lane the weekend before.

But one of golf’s most hallowed venues, which normally attracts daily crowds of 40,000 will stay silent as the pine straw remains untouched by players’ and spectators’ feet – for now.

And the blazing colour of Augusta’s azaleas and rhododendrons in the Georgia spring sunshine will not be filling golf fans’ TV screens around the world… and Tiger Woods will not get to place the fabled Green Jacket around the shoulders of the new champion… well not in the second week of April.

In a specially-prepared statement the organisers at ANGC stated that The Masters was being postponed “at this time” – without offering any definite prospect of the event being held later in the year.

The cancellation also applies to the second-ever Augusta National Women’s Amateur and the children’s Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals, which are held in the build-up to Masters week.

Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley said in a statement on Friday: “The health and well-being of everyone associated with these events and the citizens of the Augusta community led us to this decision.”

“Considering the latest information and expert analysis, we have decided at this time to postpone the Masters Tournament, the Augusta National Women’s Amateur and the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals,” Ridley added on Friday afternoon.

“Unfortunately, the ever-increasing risks associated with the widespread coronavirus have led us to a decision that undoubtedly will be disappointing to many – although I am confident is appropriate under these unique circumstances.

“As coronavirus continues to impact the lives of people everywhere, we seek your understanding of this decision and know you share our concern given these trying times.

“We will continue to work with the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Office of the Governor, the Georgia Department of Public Health, the City of Augusta and all other local authorities.

“We are grateful to all of these entities for their exceptional efforts and guidance.”

It will be the first time the Masters has been postponed since World War Two, which resulted in the tournament not taking place in 1943, 1945 and 1946.

Tiger Woods’ famous victory 11 months ago was one of the greatest Masters of all time and the former World No. 1 missed this week’s Players’ Championship in a race to get fit for Augusta after the winner of five Green Jackets hurt his back.

Four English players were due to tee it up in the second Augusta National Women’s Amateur – Women’s Amateur Champion Emily Toy, from West Cornwall, Roehampton’s Annabell Fuller, Essex’s Lily May Humphrey, and Cheshire’s Isobel Wardle.

Berkhamsted’s Alice Hewson was the first English women to play in a competitive tournament at Augusta National, in April 2019.

The Clemson University student has since graduated and earned her card at the Ladies European Tour Qualifying School. Humphreys and Fuller, who both played in the Curtis Cup against the USA in 2018, did not make the cut at last year’s ANWA after the first two rounds were played at Champions Retreat.

But they did get to experience Augusta National during the practice round for the final round after the tournament moved from Champions Retreat to the home of The Masters.

Berkhamsted’s Alice Hewson played in the final round at Augusta National last year

PGA Tour calls off five events

THE stunning news that the 2020 Masters had been cancelled came hot on the heels of the PGA Tour’s decision to cancel all tournaments.e

That included this week’s Players’ Championship, which was abandoned after Thursday’s close of play in the first round, overnight on UK time.

The majority of golf fans woke to learn that there would be no play at Sawgrasws on Friday, or over the weekend.

The announcement came after the risk to players, the public and volunteers at the tournament was judged to have risen even further less than 24 hours after PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monaghan had announced plans to play without spectators over the final three rounds.

The next four events on the PGA Tour – including the WGC World Match Play at Austin, Texas – have all been postponed including the Valero Texas Open, which was due to take place the week before The Masters.

The European Tour has also called off three more tournaments later this summer – in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, including two Challenge Tour events.

The next golf scheduled on the continent of Europe is set to be the Andalucia Open, on April 30 – after the Magical Kenya Open and the Hero Indian Open – set for March – and April’s Volvo China Open and Maybank Championship were all called off earlier this month.

The LPGA has already called off its first Major of the year – the ANA Inspiration at California’s Rancho Mirage, from April 2-5, while the PGA Tour has also cancelled events in South America and China.

The Ladies European Tour has called off the inaugural Aramco Saudi Ladies Invitational because of the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19)

LET calls off Saudi International

THE Ladies European Tour became the latest to cancel a top ranking event with its new Aramco Saudi Ladies International, becoming another casualty because of the coronavirus outbreak.

The first-ever Saudi Ladies International was due to take place at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, from March 19-22.

Again the LET said the postponement was made in light of recent health advice and travel restrictions due to the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

The LET’s priority was to ensure its players and associated partners and organsations were safe and the decision was made following advice from the World Health Organisation (WHO), a spokeswoman said on Friday.

LET chief executive Alexandra Armas said: “There is no doubt that the last few weeks have been extremely challenging for sports and postponing next week’s tournament has not been an easy decision.

“But we fully appreciate the recent restrictions which have been introduced in respect of travel into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

“Even though this was not our desired outcome, I wish to thank the promoter and event owner Golf Saudi for looking into every possible option to make this event happen.

“We were so impressed with their passion and efforts, and we will work closely with them to find a date in the future to deliver this historic event for our members.”

All parties are committed to rescheduling the tournament at some point later in the year – but no date had been confirmed at this stage, the LET added in a statement.

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