LPGA Tour 'Shutdown' Until Mid-June... US Women's Open Postponed to December

Rescheduling of COVID-19 Spread, Next Tournament to Open on June 19: Walmart NW Arkansas Championship

Mike Whan LPGA Tour Commissioner

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] The U.S. Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour is on 'shutdown' until mid-June.

On the afternoon of the 3rd (Korean time), the LPGA Tour announced, "Due to the global health and travel restrictions implemented worldwide amid the COVID-19 pandemic, we have made additional changes to the 2020 schedule," adding, "The Pelican Championship, Pure Silk Championship, ShopRite Classic scheduled to open in May, and the Mayak Classic in June have been canceled or postponed." The players have already been informed in detail about the schedule adjustments.

First, the Pelican Championship has been postponed to November 12. The ShopRite Classic has been rescheduled to start on July 31, and the Mayak Classic's hosting date is currently being coordinated. The Pure Silk Championship has been canceled. As a result, the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, which will open on June 19, is the next scheduled event. The 2020 LPGA Tour season completed four tournaments after opening and was suspended after the ISPS Australia Women's Open in mid-February.

The five major tournaments have also been affected. The KPMG Women's PGA Championship is set for June 25, the Evian Championship for August 6, and the British Women's Open for August 20. The season's first major, the ANA Inspiration, has been postponed to September. The U.S. Women's Open has been delayed by six months from the original June 1 start date to December 7. It is scheduled to be held at the Champions Golf Club in Houston, Texas, but to prevent loss of playing time due to sunset, both the Cypress Creek and Jackrabbit courses will be used.

The LPGA Tour plans to make further schedule adjustments if the COVID-19 situation continues. Replacement dates for tournaments originally scheduled in June will be announced later. Mike Whan, LPGA Tour Commissioner, said, "We are grateful that all stakeholders have shown their willingness to stay with us during these very difficult times," adding, "We have adjusted the schedule to hold as many tournaments as possible once it is safe to resume play," and wished for "the health and safety of everyone."