Coronavirus: US PGA the second major after the Masters to be postponed as golf schedule is torn apart

The US PGA Championship, the season’s second major, has been postponed, as the PGA Tour and the PGA of America announced yet more changes to the golf schedule amid the coronavirus outbreak. However, the latter rejected a report late Tuesday that this year's Ryder Cup was likely to fall victim to the pandemic too, with the event said to remain on track to take place in the last week in September at Whistling Straits. “Reports today that the 2020 @RyderCup is expected to be postponed are inaccurate,” the PGA of America tweeted. Ryder Cup Europe’s official Twitter account ran with the same denial. The PGA of America did, though, confirm on Tuesday that it had suspended the PGA Championship, originally scheduled for May 14-17 at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco, until later this year. Next month’s Masters, the season's opening major at Augusta National, had already been postponed. Although no new date for either major has been set, reports suggest the PGA Championship could be played in August, with October mooted for the Masters. “We are and have been working in concert with commissioner Jay Monahan and our partners and friends at the PGA Tour to find an alternative date that works for all,” said PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh in a statement. “We are all very hopeful for a great outcome. “We are also in dialogue with Mayor Breed and her team at the City of San Francisco and look forward to hopefully bringing the 2020 PGA Championship to TPC Harding Park at a date this summer when it is once again safe and responsible to do so.” The PGA Tour has also confirmed more cancellations on its calendar, extending the shutdown for another four weeks up to the AT&T Byron Nelson, which was set for May 7-10. The decision affects the RBC Heritage, the Zurich Classic, and the Wells Fargo Championship. “The health and safety of everyone associated with the PGA Tour and the global community is and will continue to be our No 1 priority as we navigate the ongoing health crisis related to the coronavirus pandemic,” a PGA Tour statement read. “As we receive more clarity in the coming weeks, the Tour will be working with our tournament organisations and title sponsors, in collaboration with golf’s governing bodies, to build a PGA Tour schedule for 2020 that ensures the health and safety for all associated with our sport and a meaningful conclusion to the season. We will provide further updates when those plans come into focus.” Meanwhile, a report in The Telegraph said the Ryder Cup was expected to be postponed, given the impact of the coronavirus on the golfing calendar. The biennial event is scheduled for September 25-27, where the United States will seek to reclaim a trophy they have won only once in 12 years.

Coronavirus: US PGA the second major after the Masters to be postponed as golf schedule is torn apart

Pandemic already causing date changes for events in May and beyond, but Ryder Cup still on track for now