[Golf Topic] PGA Without Spectators, LPGA Postponed "Direct Hit from COVID-19"

Jay Monahan, PGA Tour Commissioner, is announcing that games will be held without spectators for the time being due to the impact of COVID-19. Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA = Getty Images / Multivitz Photo by Multivitz

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] ○…The U.S. Professional Golf (PGA) Tour has finally been directly hit by the coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

Commissioner Jay Monahan announced on the 13th (Korean time) that "the remaining three rounds of The Players Championship and three tournaments held in Florida and Texas will be played without spectators." The World Golf Championships (WGC) Series Dell Technologies Match Play (March 25-29) and the Corales Punta Cana Resort & Club Championship (March 26-29), which was scheduled to be held in the Dominican Republic during the same period, have been postponed altogether.

The PGA Tour kicked off the first round of The Players Championship on the night of the 12th. The Valspar Championship is scheduled for the 19th, the Dell Technologies Match Play for the 25th, and the Valero Texas Open on April 2. In the U.S., as COVID-19 has rapidly spread recently, professional baseball, professional soccer, and professional basketball have all been suspended or had their openings postponed. Commissioner Monahan explained, "Golf involves no physical contact between players and is an outdoor sport, so there is no reason to stop."

After the Valero Texas Open, the first major of the 2020 season, the Masters, will follow from April 9. This tournament is not run by the PGA Tour but by Augusta National Golf Club. The Masters organizing committee stated, "We will monitor the situation from last week," but has not yet decided whether to hold the tournament. Pan Cheng (Taiwan) withdrew during The Players Championship, saying, "I do not want to be exposed to the risk of COVID-19," and "Now is the time to be cautious."

The U.S. Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour has also postponed tournaments one after another. The LPGA Tour office announced, "Following the cancellation of the Asian Swing, the Volvik Founders Cup, Kia Classic, and the season's first major, the ANA Inspiration, all scheduled to resume next week, will be postponed." Mike Whan, LPGA Tour Commissioner, said, "We made this decision because the safety of the LPGA family is our top priority," and added, "The three postponed tournaments will be rescheduled within this year."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.