PGA Championship at Harding Park in Jeopardy

The status of the 102nd PGA Championship, scheduled for the week of May 11-17 at TPC Harding Park (pictured) in San Francisco, is in question after six Bay Area Counties instructed residents on Monday to “Shelter in Place” for at least the next three weeks because of concern over the Coronavirus pandemic.

The order directs people to stay inside their homes and away from others as much as possible, the strictest measure of its kind in the United States to date, in an effort to curb the rapid spread of Coronavirus across the region.

The directive involving San Francisco, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Marin, Contra Costa and Alameda counties—with a combined population of more than 6.7 million people—began at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday.

“My fellow San Franciscans, what we are asking for everyone to do is to remain at home for all but the most essential outings for your safety and the safety of those around you,” San Francisco Mayor London Breed said at a news conference.

The San Francisco Bay Area reported 251 cases of COVID-19 since the outbreak began as of Monday, but more than half of those came in the four days before the “Shelter in Place” directive.

Commissioner Jay Monahan of the PGA Tour canceled the last three rounds of The Players Championship last week and four other events have been canceled by the tour. In addition, Augusta National Golf Club announced that the Masters, the first men’s major of the season set for April 9-12, has been postponed until later in the year.

The LPGA Tour has canceled two events in Asia and postponed three in the United States, including the ANA Inspiration, the first LPGA major of 2020, which was set for April 2-5 on the Dinah Shore Course at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage.

The Symetra Tour, the LPGA’s developmental tour, also has postponed two upcoming tournaments scheduled to be played in California.

The PGA Tour said in a statement on Monday afternoon that no decision has been made regarding for the PGA Championship.

“While no decision has been made concerning the upcoming 2020 PGA Championship (May 11-17 at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco), PGA of America leadership remains in close coordination and communication with representatives from San Francisco and the state of California, evaluating plans on an ongoing basis with the health and well-being of all involved as the highest priority,” the PGA of America’s statement read in part.

On Monday, the PGA of America did announce postponement of the 2020 PGA Club Professional Championship, which scheduled for April 26-29 at the Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Austin, Texas.

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