\u201cEven before lockdown officially started, I was getting corporate days cancelled, coaching cancelled, commentaries cancelled and as we come out of lockdown then travel with my work will also get affected.\u201d she said.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
On Sunday, the Government lifted some restrictions in the current lockdown by enabling people to play golf on their own or with one family member and by keeping social distancing.\u00a0 Sophie totally agreed with the decision.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it was the right decision to close the courses but now it\u2019s been eight weeks and if lockdown is to be lifted and you are allowed to go out to parks and beaches, then I didn\u2019t see the reason not to be allowed on to a golf course.\u201d she said. \u201cI think it could be great for the sport because there will be a lot of people that might play football, cricket, go to the gym and all that type of stuff that you wont be able to do for the foreseeable future, maybe they will come to golf because they will want to play some form of sport, so it could be a great time for golf clubs.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The LPGA and the R & A are expected to decide soon on the possibility of still holding the Women\u2019s British Open at Royal Troon this summer. Sophie feels this could happen but has some reservations about this.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn my golf head I\u2019m thinking it would be an unbelievable opportunity for women\u2019s golf as the Open isn\u2019t on this year.\u201d she said. \u201cSo could the women\u2019s British Open get better coverage, as people are crying out for live sport. \u201cAugust is a long way away and a lot of things could change. My only thing is the travel situation. I do think it could be done, but I think everybody is really scared to be the first. I think the PGA will do it and everyone will just take a lead from that and remember that at the minute golf courses in Scotland are still closed.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The LET Ladies European Tour has been badly hit this year and have currently lost eight tournaments so far. The LET have teamed up with the LPGA and Sophie feels this will help golf.<\/p>\n
\u201cI do think the partnership with the LPGA will probably save them.\u201d she said. \u201cWhat I worry about in sport in general is if the companies that are sponsoring the sport take a massive financial hit this year, doesn\u2019t mean automatically that we will put it back a year.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
The Ryder Cup is scheduled to take place in September at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin USA, but due to the current situation worldwide, there has been calls for the event to be cancelled. Sophie feels it should be played, only if safe to do so.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn an ideal world the Ryder Cup would be what it always is.\u201dshe said.”But this is not an ideal world at the moment, and if there is an opportunity to play it, then I think it should be played because of the financial impact that it has, but if the outbreak of Covid-19 is that bad then that decision is taken out of our hands then it shouldn\u2019t be played, but if the only decision is with or without fans, then I do think it should be played.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Full interview with Sophie Walker below:<\/p>\n