Jack Nicklaus agrees with postponing Masters, but doesn’t see how it could fit in later in 2020

Augusta National Golf Club on Friday did what many thought weeks ago would be the unthinkable. But today, it seemed like more of a formality.

Due to the growing threat of coronavirus in the United States, Augusta National announced it would postpone April’s Masters. The club did not set a future date for 2020 but did not rule it out, either. In the statement, Masters Chairman Fred Ridley also said the Augusta National Women’s Amateur and the Drive, Chip and Putt Finals would also be postponed.

“Ultimately, the health and well-being of everyone associated with these events and the citizens of the Augusta community led us to this decision,” Ridley said. “We hope this postponement puts us in the best position to safely host the Masters Tournament and our amateur events at some later date.”

Given what’s happened in the past 36 hours, with the NBA, NHL, MLB, NCAA and MLS, among others, suspending or canceling their seasons (and the PGA Tour following shortly after), Augusta’s decision was hardly a surprise. Jack Nicklaus also agrees that is was the right one.

“I don’t think anybody wants to go to Augusta and get sick,” Nicklaus said on Friday, when he called into ESPN’s SportsCenter. “There’s people coming from all over the world and the chances of people bringing something are great.”

Nicklaus said he hadn’t decided yet if he would have attended the Masters had it went on as scheduled, but he did say he had previously withdrawn from the club’s jamboree two weeks before the Masters, but Augusta eventually canceled that anyway. He said he talked to Ridley about the decision to go on with the Masters and that it was debated a long time. Ultimately, Nicklaus said, “I think they made a wise decision, and I support it.”

The club said the postponement puts them in position to perhaps host the Masters “at some later date,” which many have speculated could be the fall, as long as all goes well. Nicklaus, however, didn’t see how that could happen.

“In all practicality, they are postponing, but I can’t see any way they would play it at a later date,” he said. “How in the world could they work it into the schedule? It wouldn’t be fair to any other tournament that are later. I think we are probably going to miss the Masters this year, that’s just my opinion, but I think it makes logical sense.”

You can watch Nicklaus’ full appearance here.

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