4 Major Majors Resumption Scenario: "Masters in November?"

Assuming COVID-19 Ends Before Summer, PGA Championship Considered During Olympics, The Open During Ryder Cup Period

The Masters has sparked rumors of being held in October, followed by speculation about an opening in November.

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "Scenario for the Resumption of the 4 Major Championships."

The global professional golf tours have been completely suspended due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). The 4 major championships are now within reach of rescheduling. The April Masters and May PGA Championship have already been postponed indefinitely, and the June US Open and July The Open are also highly likely to be deferred. It is interesting that Golf Digest USA, on the 28th (Korean time), compiled information from insiders to speculate on the new major schedules currently being worked on behind the scenes.

Of course, this is based on the assumption that COVID-19 will be contained before summer. First, the PGA Championship is aiming to take the spot vacated by the Tokyo Olympics, which have been postponed to next year. The Olympic men's golf event is scheduled for late July to early August. The United States Golf Association (USGA), which organizes the US Open, still holds some hope, but mid-April is the deadline. At the latest, preparations for the tournament setup at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York, must begin by this time to hold the event.

The Open is considering the Ryder Cup period in September, the intercontinental golf competition between the USA and Europe. The starting point is the idea that majors take precedence over events. Moreover, the Ryder Cup, which used to be held in odd-numbered years, has been held in even-numbered years since 2001 after being canceled due to the '9/11 attacks' in the USA. If postponed by a full year, it would return to odd-numbered years. Considering the short daylight hours in Kent, England, in September, supplementary measures such as two-hole simultaneous starts will be necessary.

Regarding the Masters, following the 'October hosting theory,' there is now a claim that "November opening is more ideal." An unusual phenomenon is already occurring, such as hotel room rates in the Augusta area of Georgia, USA, soaring. Experts have noted that Augusta National Golf Club closes every May and reopens in October. They added, "At least one month of preparation is needed to achieve the best turf condition suitable for the tournament."

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