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Report: September's Ryder Cup at set to be postponed until 2021

This year's Ryder Cup is set to be postponed until 2021.  Padraig Harrington is due to lead Euro...



Report: September's Ryder Cup...
Golf

Report: September's Ryder Cup at set to be postponed until 2021

This year's Ryder Cup is set to be postponed until 2021. 

Padraig Harrington is due to lead Europe in their defence of the famous trophy at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin from September 25-27.

The tournament's viability has been under scrutiny ever since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, with discussions focused on whether fans can attend.

Harrington said last month that the tournament would feel "diminished" if played behind closed doors, adding, "My friends who don't play golf are into the Ryder Cup because of the buzz, the atmosphere, the excitement, that's why the players enjoy it and play it. It's going to be missed."

His US counterpart Steve Stricker said the idea of a Ryder Cup without fans would be "a yawn".

In The Guardian, Ewan Murray says talks between the PGA of America and the European Tour with local government officials in Wisconsin are now close to completion.

Confirmation of the postponement until 2021 is due to come next week.

A re-arranged Dubai Duty Free Irish Open could replace a postponed Ryder Cup.

If the suspension does come to pass, then the tournament will remain in 'odd' years, meaning Adare Manor will have the honour of marking the 100th anniversary of the Ryder Cup in 2027.

The PGA of America confirmed earlier on Monday that this year's PGA Championship will be played behind closed doors at TPC Harding Park.

The tournament has wound up being this year's first Major, and will be played from August 6-9 at the San Francisco course.

Originally scheduled for May, the Major was postponed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The PGA Championship was formally given the go-ahead by San Francisco city officials last week.

On Friday, Nick Watney became the first golfer on the PGA Tour to test positive for coronavirus since its resumption.

 

The PGA of America say they, "will continue to monitor COVID-19 developments and work in concert with the state of California and San Francisco city and county public health authorities and the Centres for Disease Control & Prevention through Championship Week."

"We are both inspired and honoured to ‘play on,’” said PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh.

"In doing so, we will spotlight not only the beauty of TPC Harding Park, but the fortitude of San Francisco and its remarkable people.

"We'd like to thank the state of California and the city and county of San Francisco for being terrific partners in helping us get to this place.

"While the local community cannot be with us physically on-site, we will certainly carry their spirit of resilience and unity with us as we stage our major championship, on their behalf, for all the world to see and enjoy."

"We are thrilled to welcome the PGA Championship to San Francisco,” said San Francisco Mayor London N. Breed.

"We are able to safely take this step toward reopening because of the ongoing sacrifices of our citizens, the continued committed work of our healthcare workers and the early action we took to battle COVID-19."

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Adare Manor Dubai Duty Free Irish Open Harding Park PGA PGA Championship PGA Of America Padraig Harrington Ryder Cup Steve Stricker