World No1 Rory McIlroy supports the US PGA Tour health and safety plan for returning to competition in June, saying he plans to play all three events next month.
McIlroy, whose four titles last year included the Tour and Players championships, liked the safeguards outlined Wednesday by the PGA, including coronavirus tests and events played without spectators.
"I believe the PGA Tour has a very robust policy in place, and, if they can execute it, I feel comfortable getting back out there and playing and traveling," McIlroy said.
The 31-year-old, four-time major winner from Northern Ireland plans to tee off when the PGA resumes its season on June 11 at Colonial in the Charles Schwab Challenge at Fort Worth, Texas.
McIlroy also intends to play the next two PGA tournaments, the Heritage in South Carolina on June 18-21 and the Travelers Championship on June 25-28 at TPC River Highlands near Hartford, Connecticut – all without spectators.
"We're going to have to take as many precautions as possible to be able to put tour events on again," McIlroy said.
"If they can execute it the right way, I see no reason why we can't start June 11. If we do, I'll be ready to go in Fort Worth."
Plans would have players test for the deadly virus before coming to the venue and again upon arrival, then undergo daily temperature checks at the course and such measures as face masks and social distancing as needed.
"If you take the necessary precautions – wearing a face covering, washing your hands frequently, sanitising your hands frequently, practicing social distancing – I really do think it's possible," McIlroy said.
"If everyone follows the guidelines and does the right thing, I see no reason why you wouldn't be comfortable with the logistics of getting to an event and from."
The PGA Tour will stage a fourth event in Detroit in early July without spectators before the possibility of allowing fans at a tournament July 9-12 at the John Deere Classic in Sylvis, Illinois.
"It's the new normal for right now," McIlroy said. "That's just got to be for us to keep everyone safe and get the PGA Tour back up and running again."
McIlroy doesn't see a diminished impact due to the lack of roars from the crowds.
"The atmosphere isn't going to be the same as if there's 50,000 people on the golf course, but I don't think it in any way will take away from the integrity of the competition or the quality of the golf," McIlroy said.
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The biog
Name: Younis Al Balooshi
Nationality: Emirati
Education: Doctorate degree in forensic medicine at the University of Bonn
Hobbies: Drawing and reading books about graphic design
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid
When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Essentials
The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Seattle from Dh6,755 return in economy and Dh24,775 in business class.
The cruise
UnCruise Adventures offers a variety of small-ship cruises in Alaska and around the world. A 14-day Alaska’s Inside Passage and San Juans Cruise from Seattle to Juneau or reverse costs from $4,695 (Dh17,246), including accommodation, food and most activities. Trips in 2019 start in April and run until September.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Zayed Sustainability Prize
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MWTC info
Tickets to the MWTC range from Dh100 and can be purchased from www.ticketmaster.ae or by calling 800 86 823 from within the UAE or 971 4 366 2289 from outside the country and all Virgin Megastores. Fans looking to attend all three days of the MWTC can avail of a special 20 percent discount on ticket prices.
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
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