This weekâs PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco, this year’s first major, will be played without fans due to the coronavirus. Next monthâs U.S. Open at Winged Foot Golf Club at Mamaroneck, N.Y., this yearâs second major, will be, too.
The yearâs final major could also be.
The mayor of Augusta, Ga., said Thursday that a patron-less Masters was âlikelyâ when the tournament begins in November at Augusta National Golf Club.
âI think that based on everything I know about whatâs taking place at Augusta National, theyâve been on the front lines of reviewing what the PGA is doing,â Hardie Davis said on a video on the WRDW website. âI think, as you see, the tournamentâs happening tomorrow — the PGA Championship begins at TPC Harding Park — without fans. And thatâs likely what probably will happen here in Augusta. Where we have a tournament without fans.â
Augusta National has not publicly discussed its plans since early April, when the Masters was moved from its traditional April date to November. At that point, Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley said that âfuture plans are incumbent upon favorable counsel and direction from health officials.â
âProvided that occurs and we can conduct the 2020 Masters, we intend to invite those professionals and amateurs who would have qualified for our original April date and welcome all existing ticket holders to enjoy the excitement of Masters week,â Ridley said in a statement.
Davis said Thursday he believed that Augusta National could host patrons âbetter than anybodyâ should it do so.
âThey have the wherewithal to test all the patrons who show up at point of contact. If you got a fever, they can tell you to get in the car,â he said on the video on the WRDW website. âBut, again, theyâre very thoughtful. Theyâre going to take those necessary precautions to ensure the health, welfare and safety of not just the competitors, but also the city.â