Ryder Cup Postponed For A Year

Credit - Associated Press

The eagerly awaited 2020 Ryder Cup has been postponed for a year, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The event was due to be held at Whistling Straits, Wisconsin on the 25^th-27^th September.

The biennial event has now been rescheduled for 24^th-26^th September 2021.

PGA of America chief Seth Waugh said:

“The spectators make it a unique and compelling event and playing without them was not a realistic option.”

“It became clear that as of today, our medical experts and the public authorities in Wisconsin could not give us certainty that conducting an event responsibly with thousands of spectators in September would be possible.”

Although professional golf in the USA has resumed behind closed doors, a host of players have voiced their opinions, saying that the Ryder Cup should not go ahead.

The next Ryder Cup in Europe has now been pushed back a year, with Rome set to host the event in 2023.

European skipper Padraig Harrington feels rescheduling the tournament was the correct decision.

“When you think of the Ryder Cup you think of the distinctive atmosphere generated by the spectators.”

“If that cannot be reasonably recreated at Whistling Straits in September, then it is correct that we all wait until it can be.”

Two years ago, Europe regained the Ryder Cup with a 17 and a half to 10 and a half victory over the USA.

The PGA Tour in the USA has already held four events following the shutdown, despite a handful of positive tests.

Only three of the four annual majors are scheduled to go ahead in 2020, and all will be played in the USA.

The USPGA Championship is set to become the first major of the year. It will take place in San Francisco between the 6^th-9^th August.

The US Open will be played at Winged Foot New York from 17^th-20^th September, with the Masters happening on the 12^th-15^th November at Augusta.

It looks like the American PGA listened to the players opinions on playing, with the general belief amongst both American, British and European golfers that playing without crowds in such an esteemed event just would not work.

Overall, in my honest opinion, I feel this is the correct decision.

Lets leave it a year, and hopefully by 2021 we will all be in a safe position to see battle commence, with the fairways full of spectators watching a classic Ryder Cup encounter.