US PGA to be played behind closed doors in San Francisco

Decision is welcomed by former US Open champion Webb Simpson
Martin Dempster
By Martin Dempster
Published 16th Jun 2020, 17:53 BST
 Comment
Webb Simpson at the Players Championship shortly before the shutdown. Picture: Sam Greenwood/GettyWebb Simpson at the Players Championship shortly before the shutdown. Picture: Sam Greenwood/Getty
Webb Simpson at the Players Championship shortly before the shutdown. Picture: Sam Greenwood/Getty

The US PGA Championship, the opening major on the revamped 2020 schedule, has been given the go ahead to be played in San Francisco – but without fans.

According to a report in the San Francisco Chronicle, public health officials have approved the event being held at TPC Harding Park on 6-9 August, though only on the condition that it takes place behind closed doors.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It’s one thing to play in a regular tour event, but a major with no fans is going to be strange,” admitted former US Open champion Webb Simpson of the development. “But I respect the decision. They want us to play very badly, and if it means no fans, then they’ll do it. I’m glad they’re doing that over cancelling the event.”

The event, run by the PGA of America, had originally been due to take place in May but was rescheduled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Brooks Koepka will be bidding to land the Wanamaker Trophy for the third time in a row after back-to-back wins at Bellerive and Bethpage Black in 2018 and 2019.

The PGA Tour returned last week with the first of five events behind closed doors, though a limited number of spectators are being permitted at the Memorial event at Muirfield Village in Ohio in the middle of next month.

Fans will not be permitted at the 3M Open outside Minneapolis the following week, while it remains to be seen what the plan is for the Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin in September.

“I wouldn’t want to play a Ryder Cup with no fans,” added Simpson. “I feel like fans make the Ryder Cup.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Subscribe to scotsman.com and enjoy unlimited access to Scottish news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.scotsman.com/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Joy Yates

Editorial Director

 Comment

Comments

 0 comments

Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.