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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uropean Tour chief executive Keith Pelley revealed no player will lose their Tour card in 2020 when he announced the new playing schedule including a UK Swing of six events

EUROPEAN Tour chief Keith Pelley has guaranteed no players will lose their playing rights as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic wreaking havoc with its international schedule in 2020.

So any player who was inside the top 110 on the Order of Merit at the end of the 2019 season, will keep their cards for 2021, regardless of where they finish on the 2020 Race to Dubai.

As a result, the European Tour Qualifying School will not take place in November – along with the stage one and two qualifiers in September, October and November.

There will also be no automatic promotion from the Challenge Tour – the top 15 on the Race to Mallorca Order of Merit would normally earn their European Tour card for the following season.

The Challenge Tour’s schedule has also been dramatically curtrailed with the first six European-based tournaments between May and July either postponed or cancelled.

But the European Tour chief executive has reassured players they will reward any “exceptional” performances on either the European and Challenge Tours in 2020.

The exact details of any such rewards will be announced by the European Tour Tournament Commitee, said Mr Pelley.

Pelley added: “While the intention remains to crown a new Race to Dubai Champion on December 13, as part of the changes to the end of the 2020 season caused by the impact of COVID-19, the European Tour’s Tournament Committee recently agreed that all members’ 2020 categories, and their ranking within that category, will be retained in 2021 – with related playing rights being protected to the absolute maximum possible in the 2021 season.”

There will also be no minimum number of tournaments that need to be played in 2020 to guarantee membership for next year, he added after a unanimous vote by the powerful Tournament Committee, which includes players’ representatives as well as European Tour officials.

Pelley added: “We recognise that when we resume playing golf, each player’s circumstances will be different.

“We therefore do not want to put anyone in a position whereby they feel they have no choice other than to play in certain events in order to protect their livelihood.

“Similarly, the feeling was that it was not fair to disadvantage any member who might want to play in an event but who might not be able to due to ongoing travel restrictions.

“Therefore, in consultation with our Tournament Committee, it was agreed preserving their exempt status for 2021 was the fairest solution in these unprecedented times.”

EUROPEAN TOUR CREATES NEW ‘UK SWING’ WITH SIX EVENTS

Pelley thanks sponsors for support

THE European Tour chief went out of his way of praising the hosting venues and sponsors of four of its biggest Rolex Series events in helping to create the new UK Swing announced today.

Keith Pelley said: “Since the suspension of our 2020 season in early March, we have taken a measured approach in reassessing our schedule – informed every step of the way by our medical advisers and government guidance.

“We have consistently said that safety is our absolute priority and that is why we are announcing our resumption in two months’ time – supported by a comprehensive health strategy, which has been led by our medical team.

“Without question we have had to think differently about the remainder of our 2020 season which is reflected in today’s announcement.

“As golf’s global tour, diversity is ordinarily one of our biggest strengths. But in this instance it has become one of our biggest challenges.

“Initially, therefore, based on the expert guidance we received, playing in clusters, in one territory, is the best option in terms of testing, travel and accommodation.

“I would therefore like to take this opportunity to thank Betfred, Close House, Marriott, the Forest of Arden, Hanbury Manor, Celtic Manor Resort and The Belfry for sharing our vision for this ‘UK Swing.’

“We look forward to returning to tournament play in July with this innovative stretch of six events.

“As well as getting golf going again for our players, our broadcasters, our stakeholders and our millions of fans around the world, these new events will also enable us to give back during these unprecedented times, building on some of the community support already given by our players over the past few months.

“I also want to pay tribute to Rolex, BMW, Aberdeen Standard Investments, the Scottish Government, Nedbank, Sun International and DP World, for their continued commitment to the European Tour, which allowed us to move four hugely important tournaments into new dates later in the year.

“Not only did they show flexibility, they also showed understanding of the current global situation and we are truly fortunate to have them as partners of the European Tour,” added Keith Pelley.

The European Tour will return to action at Close House, with the Betfred British Masters, from July 22-25. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

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European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley has written to players warning them the days of rising prize funds will be hit by the coronavirus pandemic. Picture by EUROPEAN TOUR

EUROPEAN Tour stars face playing for smaller prize funds as well as the prospect of playing tournaments without spectators later this summer, according to a memo written by its chief executive Keith Pelley.

The update sent to players, which was leaked to the Daily Telegraph, warns that some of the “perks” of tour life will be reigned in significantly.

The professional game is planning for when the green light to resume will be given – when the worst of the coronavirus pandemic is over – so golf can return to our TV screens at least.

But Pelley has warned everything from the kind of courtesy cars and tournament lounges where players and their families and support teams can relax before and after rounds and practice, could be affected.

Pelley’s email stated: “Our tour has enjoyed a significant period of growth in recent years, in terms of prize funds, playing opportunities, and the overall standard of our events, as well as our broadcast product.

“The impact of coronavirus has stopped this rapid momentum in its tracks, and it will, in fact, require us to reassess many elements.”

While the trappings of tour life are bound to be hit, the Canadian who has revolutionised certain areas of the European Tour brand since taking over from George O’Grady, late in 2014, Pelley was most blunt about the likely affect on players’ earnings.

“Prize funds will also most likely be different,” Pelley added. “The reality is, the pandemic is going to have a profound impact on the Tour financially, as well as many of our partners, both in the sponsorship and broadcast areas.”

His latest update to the Tour’s members also stressed it make take until the autumn before they can resume playing tournaments – even though the USPGA and US Open have been rescheduled for August and September, respectively.

Several tournaments could be played at the same venue to make the hastily rearranged 2020 schedule run as smoothly as possible.

“Let us say we are given the go-ahead by governments and health authorities to resume play in the first week of September,” said Pelley.

Will season shrink into 16 weeks?

“That gives us 16 weeks between then and Christmas to try and play as many tournaments as possible.

“We are looking at options such as a) multiple tournaments in the same location; b) two tournaments in the same week or three in a fortnight; or c) three or four tournaments back-to-back in the UK with a 14-day ‘quarantine’ period ahead of that – to allow players not from the UK to come over and self-isolate in advance, if that health requirement is still in place then.”

Pelley stressed the Rolex Series and tournaments based in the UK are the priority for the Tour and its broadcaster Sky Sports – confirming the Tour will “play behind closed doors if necessary.”

The British Masters at Close House, in the North East – which was originally scheduled for July 30-August 2 – and the BMW PGA Championship, at Wentworth (September 10-13), are two of the UK events on the schedule.

The Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open at North Berwick’s Renaissance Club, was due to be held from July 9-12, the week before The Open, at Royal St George’s, which has now been cancelled.

Meanwhile attracting stars from Hollywood to play the annual Alfred Dunhill Links Championship (October 1-4) may pose more problems in 2020 than normal with celebrities filming and TV schedules – if the pro-am can be held at St Andrews the week after the Ryder Cup.

October’s Italian Open, which is a Rolex Series event, faces many hurdles before it can be played, given how badly Italy has fared from the number of COVID-19 deaths.

The other Rolex events are the Turkish Airlines Open (November 5-8) and the Nedbank Golf Challenge, which will have to be moved now that the Augusta Masters has been provisionally rearranged for November 12-15.

But if the South African event at Sun City’s Gary Player Country Club, has to be moved, that also means the DP World Tour Championship at Dubai’s Jumeirah Golf will also have to be moved to December.

The final Rolex Series event will determine the Race to Dubai winner, which earned the European No. 1 Jon Rahm a £2million bonus, on top of the $3million cheque for the winner that week.

Graeme McDowell was set to host the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Mount Juliet in May before the COVID-19 outbreak. Could it still be played in the autumn?

11 events hit by coronavirus so far in 2020

SO far the European Tour has postponed eight tournaments and cancelled completely three more, including June’s inaugural Scandinavian Mixed, hosted by Henrik Stenson and Annika Sorenstam.

At the moment the BMW International at Golfclub München in late June is the first event on the original schedule which has yet to be postponed, followed a week later by the French Open at Paris’ Le Golf National.

Other events in Continental Europe which could still be played are Switzerland’s Omega European Masters (August 27-30),  Germany’s Porsche European Open (September 3-6), Holland’s KLM Open (September 17-20), Spanish Open (October 15-18) and the Portugal Masters (October 22-25).

Among the countries where events were postponed in March and April were Ireland, Kenya, India, Malaysia, China, Morocco, the Czech Republic and Spain.

The European Tour has stressed that it would work to try to rearrange postponed tournaments wherever possible.

But the logistical problems created by the international travel bans alone, make that very difficult – let alone while the current uncertainty about lockdowns in each country continues.

It remains to be seen how many of those can be played in 2020, or if the European Tour will just be content to make sure they can still be played in 2021.

And that will depend on the support of the sponsors, or finding replacements should the economic impact of COVID-19 hit exisiting ones.

Certainly, if spectators can be admitted later in the year, both Sky and the European Tour, would be keen to resurrect the Irish Open.

Graeme McDowell was set to host at Mount Juliet at the end of May, before it was postponed at the end of March.

But the lack of light means it would surely have to be played before the clocks go back in October, without the size of the field having to be heavily restricted.

March’s Hero Indian Open – co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours – was one of the first to be called off as a result of the coronavirus outbreak

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Lalla Meryem Cup winner Nuria Iturrios (left) with Spain’s Gorge Campilo who claimed the Trophée Hassan II at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam last year. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

THE European Tour has confirmed the postponement of the Trophée Hassan II while the Scandinavian Mixed has been cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Scandinavian Mixed was set to be a ground-breaking event – hosted by Sweden’s two most successful golfers Henrik Stenson and Annika Sorenstam – with male and female players competing head-to-head in the same event for the first time.

The Scandinavian Mixed was scheduled to take place at Stockholm’s Bro Hof Slott Golf Club, from June 11-14, , with men and women battling for one prize fund and one trophy.

The Ladies European Tour’s Lalla Meryem Cup – which was scheduled to take place concurrently with Trophée Hassan II, at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam, Rabat, Morocco from June 4-7 – has also been postponed.

The decision to postpone both events in Morocco was taken following consultation between the Hassan II Trophy Association, chaired by Prince Moulay Rachid, the European Tour and the LET.

Following this season’s cancellation – which was agreed in consultation with all parties – the event will still be included on the European Tour and Ladies European Tour schedules from 2021.

European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley said: “We will continue to monitor the global situation in relation to coronavirus and evaluate its impact on all our tournaments, with public health and well-being our absolute priority.

“We thank all stakeholders involved in Trophée Hassan II and the Scandinavian Mixed – including His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid and the Hassan II Trophy Association, the Ladies European Tour and Henrik Stenson and Annika Sorenstam.

“Discussions regarding the possible rescheduling of all postponed tournaments will remain ongoing until we have clarity on the global situation.”

LET chief executive Alexandra Armas, said: “We are deeply grateful for the incredible support and flexibility shown by our partners at this challenging time, and would like to thank the Hassan II Trophy Association – and the European Tour – for their unwavering commitment to working together.

“As we monitor the global situation with regards to COVID-19, we continue to wish for the health and safety of the entire golfing community.”

The Ladies European Tour schedule for 2020 featured some 24 tournaments – an increase of four from 2019 – and an €18million prize fund up €4.5million. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

LET schedule’s record prize fund

THE Ladies European Tour schedule for 2020 featured a record-breaking prize fund of almost €18million spread across 24 tournaments to mark a new decade brimming with optimism.

As well as the increase of €4.5million in prize money – the LET unveiled the Race to the Costa del Sol with a bonus pool at the end-of-season Andalucía Costa del Sol Open Ladies Spanish Open, in January.

The top three finishers on the Race to the Costa del Sol rankings were set to share the bonus pool worth an extra €250,000.

But only the first three events were played before the coronavirus epidemic became a pandemic in March, forcing the first-ever Saudi Ladies Championship at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club to be postponed.

The Evian Championship – one of the five scheduled Majors of the season – has moved from its slot in late July to the first week of August – the date originally chosen for the Toyko Olympics Games.

It means the world’s top players – if the Evian can still go ahead on its new date – will then head to Scotland for the Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open at North Berwick, from August 13-16.

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Graeme McDowell will have to wait until 2021 to host the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Mount Juliet after the 2020 tournament was called off due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis

THE European Tour has confirmed the postponement today of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open due to the continuing threat posed by the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

The tournament was scheduled to be the European Tour’s second Rolex Series event of 2020, taking place at Mount Juliet Estate from May 28-31, with Major champion Graeme McDowell as host.

It brings the total number of events on the European Tour schedule either cancelled or postponed to 11 from the second week in March through to the end of May.

European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley said: “The decision to postpone the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open follows consultation with all stakeholders and was made with public health and well-being as our absolute priority.

“Our thoughts are with everyone right now and we are all united in trying to fight the spread of the pandemic.

“With this in mind, we will continue to evaluate all aspects of our 2020 European Tour schedule, and discussions on the rescheduling of postponed events will remain ongoing until we have clarity on the global situation.”

Dubai Duty Free chief executive Colm McLoughlin said: “We fully support the European Tour in their decision to postpone the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.

“The most important thing right now is the health and safety of all the players, the spectators, the sponsors and organisers, so it’s the right decision.”

Tournament host McDowell said: “As important as the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open is to all of us, everyone’s health is our only concern.

“My thoughts are with everyone affected by the crisis and I hope everyone keeps safe and well during these difficult times.”

McDowell had been looking forward to teeing it up at Kilkenny’s Mount Juliet, which hosted the World Golf Championship American Express Championship in 2002 and 2004.

The 2010 US Open Champion, who claimed the Saudi International in early February for his first win on the European Tour in more than five years, agreed to host the Irish Open in 2020 and 2021 before Christmas.

Mount Juliet will host the 2021 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open under the European Tour deal

Cancelled tournaments list grows

THE first four events called off by the European Tour were the Magical Kenya Open, the Hero Indian Open, the Volvo China Open and Malaysia’s Maybank Championship

The four events sandwiched the WGC Dell Technologies World Match Play and the Masters on the European Tour’s international schedule.

Two weeks ago, the European Tour postponed the Andalucia Masters at Valderrama, at the end of April, followed a week later by the Made in Denmark tournament in May, as well as cancelling the GolfSixes Casçais, in Portugal – the latter two events were planned for either side of the USPGA.

Speculation has continued over the past few days over whether the US Open at Winged Foot, in June, and the 149th Open Championship at Royal St George’s in July, will join the Masters and USPGA Championship in being postponed until later in the summer, or even autumn.

Rumours suggest the Augusta National Golf Club are looking at a date in early October for the Masters, with the USPGA possibly moving to a date in early August vacated by the cancellation of the Tokyo Olympics last week.

The TPC Harding Park in San Francisco was set to host Brooks Keopka’s defence of the Sam Wanamaker Trophy in May, before the coronavirus pandemic spread to the USA from China.

The USGA, who organise the US Open are said to be close to making an announcement on their flagship event, with New York’s Long Island at the epicentre of the current COVID-19 outbreak in North America.

With talk of a possible quarantine of New York city and New York State, moving the US Open to another venue, or pushing it back to the autumn from its date in the third week of June, are the most likely option.

The European Tour has so far seen 11 events in 2020 either cancelled or postponed

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The famous par five 17th hole at Valderrama – the 2020 Andalucia Masters has been postponed because of the ongoing threat from the coronavirus pandemic

THE European Tour has cancelled the Estrella Damm N A Andalucia Masters, which was due to take place at Valderrama, at the end of April, because of the threat caused by the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.

The decision was made in light of the travel restrictions in force in Spain.

And it came after consultation with parties associated with the tournament which was going to be hosted by the Sergio Foundation.

They included the regional government in Andalucía, Real Club Valderrama, the Sergio Garcia Foundation and title sponsor Estrella Damm.

Discussions are ongoing with all parties looking into the possibility of rescheduling the tournament at a later date.

Valderrama chief executive Javier Reviriego said: “We are deeply concerned by the current developments related to coronavirus and we believe postponing the event is the best decision.

“We will work jointly with the European Tour and our sponsors to find a new date in the calendar to host this fantastic golf tournament.

“All of us at Valderrama look forward to hosting players and fans when we put this exceptional situation behind us.”

European Tour chief excutive Keith Pelley said: “We are all taking a day-by-day approach at the moment and we continue to assess the impact of coronavirus on all our events.

“But following discussions with all parties involved, it was clear that postponing the Estrella Damm N A Andalucia Masters at this point is the correct course of action.

“Public health and well-being remains the absolute priority for all of us.”

In brings the number of Eurpoean Tournaments that have been cancelled to five – lasting from March until the beginning of May.

On top of that, the Masters – the first Major of the year – at Augusta has been postponed for the first time since 1946, while the second World Golf Championship event of 2020 – the WGC Dell Technologies Match Play, which was due to return to Austin Country Club, in Texas (March 25-29), has also been cancelled.

The European Tour has said it is still looking to rearrange as many of its cancelled events as possible – December’s Hong Kong Open which was postponed because of the civil unrest in the former British colony – had to go ahead as an Asian Tour-only sanctioned event, in February.

The Magical Kenyan Open and Hero Indian Open were cancelled after governments in the host countries imposed travel restrictions while the Maybank Championship, in Malaysia, and the Volvo China Open, were called off in the early stages as the COVID-19 virus spread initially through parts of Asia.

•You can see the full European Tour schedule by clicking here.

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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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The European Tour has called off next week’s Magical Kenya Open after talks with the African country’s government because of the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

THE European Tour has cancelled its third tournament as the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) claimed the Magical Kenya Open as the latest sporting event to be cancelled.

The Government of Kenya announched its decision today (Friday) to postpone all meetings and conferences of an international nature in the country.

With the numbers of people infected with Coronavirus outside of China, continuing to grow daily, the Magical Kenya Open – presented by sponsors Absa – which was scheduled to take place at the Karen Country Club, in Nairobi, next week (March 12-15), will now not take place.

The European and Asian Tour announced that April’s Maybank Championship in Malaysia, and the Volvo China Open, were being postponed because of the Coronavirus outbreak, in the middle of February.

European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley said: “We understand and totally respect the decision made by the Government of Kenya in these difficult times.

“We are looking into the possibility of rescheduling the tournament at some point later in the season, but that remains simply a possibility right now – we have no definitive plans at this stage.

“I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank president Uhuru Kenyatta and the Kenyan Government for their unwavering support, alongside Kenya Open Golf chairman Peter Kanyago and tournament director Patrick Obath for their strenuous efforts and commitment.

“We look forward to returning to Kenya in due course.”

The suspension of international events by the Kenyan government will be reviewed in a month’s time.

But with Pelley admitting it was only a possibility the Kenyan Open could rescheduled, European Tour players who are not in the world’s top 50 – and therefore exempt on the PGA Tour – face a dearth of golf over the next two months.

There are now no European Tour events scheduled for five weeks in a row – including the week of The Masters at Augusta (April 91-12) – starting from the World Golf Championship World Match Play Championship, in Austin, Texas, in the last week of March (25-29).

After this week’s Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, the next European Tour event is scheduled to be the Hero Indian Open, from March 19-22 – but then there is no tournament until the Estrella Damm NA Andalucia Masters, at Valderrama, from April 30-May 3.

The original 2020 European Tour schedule comprised 44 events including the four Majors, plus the Ryder Cup against the USA at Whistlling Straits, in Wisconsin, in September.

•To see the full European Tour schedule click here.

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Finland’s Mikko Korhonen – winner of the 2019 Volvo China Open, which has been postponed because of the Corona-virus threat, along with Malaysia’s Maybank Championship, in April. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

TWO European Tour events in Asia – scheduled to be played in April – have been postponed because of the health threat posed by the outbreak of the Corona-virus.

The Maybank Championship and the Volvo China Open have both been postponed following the outbreak in China in December, of what has now been named Covid-19 – by the World Heath Organisation – after the corona-virus spread to a number of different countries, including the UK, this month.

The European Tour and Asian Tour accepted a request from title sponsor and promoter Maybank to postpone the Maybank Championship – due to take place at Saujana Golf & Country Club in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – from April 16-19.

Meanwhile the decision to postpone the Volvo China Open scheduled for April 23-26, at Genzon Golf Club, in Shenzhen, was taken following consultations with the China Golf Association, Genzon Golf Club, the Shenzhen Government, title sponsor Volvo and promoters Mitime Golf.

Discussions are ongoing with all parties looking into the possibility of rescheduling both tournaments later this season.

European Tou chief executive Keith Pelley said: “The well-being of our players, spectators and staff is always our absolute priority.

“While it is therefore regrettable the Maybank Championship and Volvo China Open have been postponed, we feel this is the correct course of action at this time.

“We are currently investigating alternative dates for both events,” added Mr Pelley, whose members lower down the Race to Dubai rankings face a much harder task to retain their European Tour cards, if the two events are not able to be rescheduled later in the year.

Datuk Abdul Farid Alias, group president and chief executive of Maybank, said: “The decision to postpone the Maybank Championship was made after intense deliberation and careful consideration in the interest of all the players, visitors, working teams and partners.

“The postponement of the Maybank Championship was not an easy decision to make.

“However, the safety of all stakeholders takes precedence, and we want to ensure that any risk of possible exposure to Covid-19 is mitigated.

“We will monitor the situation and work closely with the European and Asian Tours, as well as our other partners, as we plan for our return in the future.”

•Last year’s Volvo China Open was won by Finland’s Mikko Korhonen. Australia’s Scott Hend would have been the defending champion in the Maybank Championship.

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Left to right: Keith Pelley, Marta Figueras-Dotti, LET CEO Alexandra Armas, Catriona Matthew and LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan, at Buckinghamshire Golf Club, which unveiled the significant jump in prize money for 2020. Picture by TRISTAN JONES

A NEW decade brings a new-look Ladies European Tour and for the first time in history, LET members will play for a combined prize money fund of almost €18 million in 2020.

That’s an increase in prize money of around a third – up €4.5 million on 2019, with the 2020 schedule featuring 24 tournaments, which is four more than last year.

They include 15 in Europe, in addition to August’s Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, plus a new event in England in August, which will be announced separately.

The Race to Costa del Sol, offering €250,000 in prize money between the top three finishers on the official ranking, will commence with the Australian Ladies Classic Bonville, in February.

It will conclude with the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España Femenino in November, the latter having doubled its prize money to €600,000.

The 2020 LET schedule includes two new events in Sweden – the €1.5million Scandinavian Mixed hosted by Henrik Stenson and Annika Sorenstam and the Creekhouse Ladies Open.

There is also a new $1million event in Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Ladies Championship, as well as the Mithra Belgian Ladies Open, the Dutch Ladies Open and the VP Bank Swiss Ladies Open.

The 15 events in Europe also include the Jabra Ladies Open, La Reserva de Sotogrande Invitational, Estrella Damm Mediterranean Ladies Open, the Evian Championship, Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open, AIG Women’s British Open, TIPSPORT Czech Ladies Open and Lacoste Ladies Open de France, as well as the new UK event.

The significantly improved schedule demonstrates the immediate success of the new LPGA-LET joint venture, with a new board of directors working together to grow the opportunities for LET members, especially in the continent of Europe.

Chaired by LPGA Commissioner Mike Whan, the new joint venture board includes six directors from the LET, who met at The Buckinghamshire Golf Club for the historic announcement on Friday.

The six LET directors are Marta Figueras-Dotti, Eleanor Givens, Solheim Cup captain Catriona Matthew, Liz Young, Justin Abbott and Alastair Ruxton.

There are also four directors from the LPGA – commissioner Mike Whan, Liz Moore, Kathy Milthorpe and Mike Nichols – as well as The R&A’s chief executive Martin Slumbers and the European Tour’s chief executive Keith Pelley.

Whan said: “The LET and the LPGA only began working together in September 2019, but we’ve been blown away with the results in the first 90 days and the positive response from across the golf industry.

“With overall purse increases and seven new events, our athletes will have more opportunities for success.

“It’s exciting to think what we can accomplish after a full year of working with our new board.

“We have a long way to go, but I’m so happy to say that this is the best position that European women’s professional golf has ever been in.”

The LET’s new chief executive Alexandra Armas was given the job having been in charge since September when outgoing-boss Mark Lichtenhein departed.

Armas said: “I want to thank all the federations who have shown their belief in our new team and vision – but also recognise the important contribution of our existing event promoters and sponsors, whose long-term support and commitment is immensely valuable to our organisation.

“What we have achieved in the last 90 days in incredible and this is just the start of a new direction for the LET.”

Solheim captain hails exciting LET future

VICTORIOUS 2019 Solheim Cup captain Catriona Matthew believes the LET will hit new heights in 2020.

Matthew said: “I committed myself to playing on the LET in Europe last year and I couldn’t be more excited about what’s been achieved over the last 90 days to improve the schedule.

“This is a tour that existing players and those joining for the first time should be proud to be part of.

“I’ll be keeping an eye on some of the exciting young players coming through as we look ahead to retaining the Solheim Cup in Toledo next year.”

Solheim Cup player Anne van Dam is happy to be involved as an ambassador for the new Dutch Ladies Open, which will be played at her home course, Rosendealsche Golf Club, in Arnhem.

Van Dam said: “It’s important to have an event in your country to help develop the game and inspire the next generation – just as I was inspired when I was able to watch and then play in the Dutch Ladies Open when I was young.

“The 2020 schedule is looking really strong and I’m so pleased to have an event in the Netherlands.”

Jeroen Stevens, director of the Netherlands Golf Federation, said the organisation was proud to have a new LET event, with van Dam as its ambassador.

“The LPGA commitment toward the LET was what the NGF Board needed to commit to signing a three-year contract with the LET, to promote ladies’ golf in the Netherlands,” he said.

“We strongly believe it is essential to have more female golfers, to grow the game of golf in our country.

“We are therefore convinced we will prove in the coming years that investing in women’s golf is not only logical, from a diversity point of view, but also from the commercial perspective.

“We thank the LET and LPGA for giving us the opportunity to prove that golf is a sport for women, men and children of all ages.”

With two new tournaments in Sweden, rising star Julia Engström is looking forward to playing on home soil.

Engström said: “This is my third year on Tour and I’m very excited to have the opportunity to play in my home country for the first time since turning professional.

“The last time I played an LET event in Sweden was when I was 13 years old and I remember it to be the greatest thing in my career.

“I had so much support on the course from all the fans. It’s very exciting to have two new Swedish events, both completely different concepts and at world-class venues!”

European federations hail LET-LPGA joint venture

A NUMBER of European Golf federations have come out strongly in support of the LPGA-LET joint venture, including Sweden, which has two new events.

Gunnar Håkansson, secretary-general of the Swedish Golf Federation, said: “For the Swedish Golf Federation, it’s an important role, to support talent in their aim to become world-class players.

“In doing so, tournaments are important, but for a long time we have lacked an LET event in Sweden.

“It’s therefore very satisfactory that the LET will return in 2020, where our partner Kristianstad GC will arrange the Creekhouse Ladies Open.”

Barbara Albisetti, general secretary of Swiss Golf, also welcomed the LET back to Switzerland.

Albisetti said: “Swiss Golf is extremely pleased a professional women’s tournament of the highest category will take place in Switzerland in 2020.

“Such an event has been missing since the LET tournament in Losone, more than 10 years ago.

“We are very grateful for the support of the LET and LPGA for making this event a reality, and we look forward to hosting the VP Bank Ladies Swiss Open next September.

“The LET event is the ideal platform to promote golf and ladies’ golf in Switzerland, and obviously it is the best place to inspire our top players and our young talents.

“We are determined to make the event in Ennetsee one of the most important appointments for golf in our country for many years to come.”

•To see the full dates of the LET 2020 season and the prize money at each event click here.

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