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The PGA Tour, a separate body which runs the
game's biggest weekly circuit, has cancelled its schedule until
at least May 10.
The PGA Championship, one of the sport's four men's majors, was
due to be held at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco.
"Throughout our evaluation process, we have been committed to
following the guidance of public health authorities and given
the coronavirus shelter-in-place order in effect in San
Francisco, postponement is the best decision for all involved,"
said PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh.
"We are and have been working in concert with (PGA Tour)
commissioner Jay Monahan and our partners and friends at the PGA
Tour to find an alternative date that works for all.
"We are all very hopeful for a great outcome... and look forward
to hopefully (playing the event) at a date this summer when it
is once again safe and responsible to do so."
The news follows a previous announcement by Augusta National
that it had postponed the Masters, the first major of the year
that had been scheduled for April 9-12.
Augusta National offered no hint as to when it planned to play
the tournament, though October looms as the most likely time if
the coronavirus has subsided.
With the first two majors postponed, the focus turns to the June
18-21 U.S. Open at Winged Foot in New York and the July 16-19
British Open at Royal St. George's in Kent, both of which for
now are still on schedule.
The U.S. Open, however, on Tuesday cancelled the first
qualifying stage for an event that usually receives about 9,000
entries.
NINE EVENTS LOST
Meanwhile, news that the PGA Tour will shut down until at least
May 10 means that nine non-major events have been scrapped,
starting with last week's $15 million Players Championship,
which was called off after one round.
"As we receive more clarity in the coming weeks, the tour will
be working with our tournament organizations 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," the tour said in a statement.
The earliest the tour could resume would be May 21-24 with the
Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth, Texas.
(Reporting by Andrew Both in Cary, North Carolina; Editing by
Ken Ferris)
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