Coronavirus: US PGA Championship is second men's major to be postponed

The US PGA Championship has become the second men's major of the season to be postponed due to the coronavirus.
Eight events on the 2020 European Tour schedule have now been postponed to the coronavirus outbreak. Picture: Getty ImagesEight events on the 2020 European Tour schedule have now been postponed to the coronavirus outbreak. Picture: Getty Images
Eight events on the 2020 European Tour schedule have now been postponed to the coronavirus outbreak. Picture: Getty Images

The event, which was due to be held at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco from 11-15 May, has been called off by the PGA of America.

The decision comes less than a week after next month's Masters was also postponed by Augusta National Golf Club.

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“Throughout our evaluation process, we have been committed to following the guidance of public health authorities and given the coronavirus shelter-in-place order in effect in San Francisco, postponement is the best decision for all involved,” said PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh.

Brooks Koepka won the US PGA Championship for a second time at Bethpage Black last year. His title defence will not take place in May after the postponed of the event at Harding Park in San Francisco. Picture: Getty ImagesBrooks Koepka won the US PGA Championship for a second time at Bethpage Black last year. His title defence will not take place in May after the postponed of the event at Harding Park in San Francisco. Picture: Getty Images
Brooks Koepka won the US PGA Championship for a second time at Bethpage Black last year. His title defence will not take place in May after the postponed of the event at Harding Park in San Francisco. Picture: Getty Images

“This is a reflection of a thoughtful process. We are and have been working in concert with 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 Mayor Breed and her team at the City of San Francisco and look forward to hopefully bringing the 2020 PGA Championship to TPC Harding Park at a date this summer when it is once again safe and responsible to do so.”

The Andalucia Masters on the European Tour and all 14 events on the PGA EuroPro Tour, including visits to both Montrose and Leven, have also been added to the list of postponements from the pandemic.

Due to be hosted by the Sergio Garcia Foundation at Valderrama on 30 April-3 May, the Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucia Masters is the eighth event to be hit on the 2020 European Tour schedule.

The postponement means the next scheduled event is due to be the GolfSixes Cascais in Portugal in early May, with the first regular individual tournament after that being the Made in Denmark at the end of the same month.

Keith Pelley, the European Tour chief executive, 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 hosted by the Sergio Garcia Foundation at this point is the correct course of action. Public health and well-being remains the absolute priority for all of us.”

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

Pelley announced on Monday night that ticket and hospitalty sales for all events promoted by the European Tour, including the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open in East Lothian in July, had been suspended until further notice.

Meanwhile, the PGA EuroPro Tour has cancelled its entire 2020 schedule, which was due to include events at Montrose Golf Links and Leven Links in June and September respectively.

The decision involves 14 events in total on the third-tier circuit around Great Britain and Ireland, as well as an upcoming Qualifying School.

"We will be looking at the possibility of organising some events later in the year once the threat of the coronavirus has been subsided," said Tour CEO Dan Godding. "However, in the meantime, there are no plans for golf in 2020."

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