The 149th Open Championship has been canceled, the R&A announced on Monday, and the other three men’s majors have been rescheduled for later this year because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Open was scheduled for July 16-19 at Royal St. George’s Golf Club in Sandwich, Kent, England, but instead the club will host the tournament in July of 2021, with the 150th Open Championship to be played in 2022 at St. Andrews in Scotland.
This will be the first year the tournament, in which the winner receives he coveted Claret Jug (pictured) has not been played since 1945, when it was canceled because of World War II.
“Our absolute priority is to protect the health and safety of the fans, players, officials, volunteers and staff involved in the Open,” R&A Chief Executive Martin Slumbers said in a statement. “We care deeply about this historic championship and have made this decision with a heavy heart. We appreciate that this will be disappointing for a great many people around the world, but this pandemic is severely affecting the U.K. and we have to act responsibly. It is the right thing to do.
“I can assure everyone that we have explored every option for playing the Open this year, but it is not going to be possible.”
Part of the reason the Open is being canceled rather than postponed as the Masters, PGA Championship and the U.S. Open have been, is because of insurance, according to a source.
Similar to the All-England Club, which announced the cancellation of the Wimbledon tennis championship last week, the R&A has a policy that shields against a global pandemic.
Augusta National Golf Club, the European Tour, the LPGA Tour, the PGA of America, the PGA Tour, the R&A and United States Golf Association have collaborated to cancel some events and reschedule others for later the year.
The U.S. Open, previously scheduled for June 18-21 at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y., will be played Sept. 17-20 and is confirmed to remain at Winged Foot.
The PGA Championship, originally slated for May 14-17 at Harding Park in San Francisco, will be played Aug. 6-9.
Augusta National Golf Club announced that the Masters, traditionally the first major of the year that was scheduled for April 9-12, will be held Nov. 12-15.
The FedEx Cup Playoffs will be moved back a week, starting with The Northern Trust at TPC Boston in Norton, Mass., from Aug. 20-23, followed by the BMW Championship at Olympia Fields Country Club in Olympia Fields, Ill., on Aug 27-30, and culminating with the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta on Sept. 4-7.
The Ryder Cup will be played as scheduled on Sept 25-27 at Whistling Straits Golf Course in Kohler, Wis.
The LPGA Tour announced several changes last week, including that the Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, France, will be played Aug. 6-9, the ANA Inspiration at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif., has been rescheduled for Sept. 10-13, and the U.S. Women’s Open at Champions Golf Club in Houston has been moved to Dec. 10-13.
Of course, all the changes hinge on the flattening of the Coronavirus curve.
