'Shutdown' PGA Tour "What about the May schedule?"

Sudden Halt to COVID-19 Spread, Uncertainty Looms Over Third Major US Open in June

The probability of postponing the third major, the US Open, following the Masters and the PGA Championship, has increased. Gary Woodland celebrating immediately after his victory last year.

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "May is also uncertain."

The concerns of the U.S. Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) Tour are growing. Recently, due to the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United States, it has become difficult to resume the tour. After abruptly suspending the first round of The Players Championship, known as the "5th Major," on the 13th, a total of 10 tournaments have been postponed or canceled. The first major, The Masters, scheduled for April 9, and the second major, the PGA Championship on May 14, have also been canceled.

For now, there is a plan to reopen starting with the Charles Schwab Challenge on May 22, but it remains uncertain. Michael Thoeti, the general manager of the Charles Schwab Challenge, told the Associated Press in an interview, "Various facility constructions have been postponed," and added, "It is unsettling to just stand by idly." Significant financial losses are also expected. In fact, the Valspar Championship, which was scheduled to open on the 20th, was canceled just three days after preparations were completed.

Above all, the third major, the U.S. Open on June 18, is a matter of intense interest. The Winged Foot Golf Club in New York State, a fierce battleground, has already closed. Governor Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order to "close all multi-use facilities" as New York State has the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. New Rochelle, where the National Guard was deployed, is only 5 km away from Winged Foot. Except for essential personnel, employees are not coming to work at all.

The problem is that all USGA competition committee dispatch agents who were managing the course for the U.S. Open have withdrawn. This has caused setbacks in preparing for the U.S. Open, which is known for its highest level of difficulty. The USGA believes that "normal hosting will only be possible if work resumes at least by mid-next month." On the 25th (Korean time), with the announcement of the one-year postponement of the Tokyo Olympics in July, they are expected to consider postponing the event to that period.