2020 Ryder Cup Expected To Be Postponed Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

One of the biggest decisions looming over the golf world since the PGA Tour season resumed was whether or not the Ryder Cup will be held. Last week, golf fans got some bad news regarding the popular event. 

PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh in a statement yesterday said that public safety is the top priority. “As disappointing as this is, our mandate to do all we can to safeguard public health is what matters most,” he said. “The spectators who support both the U.S. and European sides are what make the Ryder Cup such a unique and compelling event and playing without them was not a realistic option.”

The Ryder Cup was originally scheduled for September 25-27 at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin. The event is a match-play event between the top golfers from the United States and the top golfers from Europe. Once the coronavirus pandemic hit, it was expected that the event would be held without fans, but seems to not be the case as the event will get postponed to 2021, according to sources.

Since fans would not be able to attend the Ryder Cup if it had been held in 2020, many members on both teams were calling for the event to be postponed, including European captain Padrig Harrington. “When you think of the Ryder Cup you think of the distinctive atmosphere generated by the spectators, such as around the first tee at Le Golf National two years ago,” he said. “If that cannot be responsibly recreated at Whistling Straits in September, then it is correct that we all wait until it can be.”

As a result of the Ryder Cup being pushed back, the Presidents Cup, which was originally slated for September 30 to October 3 2021, would be pushed back, most likely to 2022.