USGA announces no fans on grounds at Winged Foot U.S. Open

The second major championship of the men’s golf year will be conducted just like the first one: without fans.

The USGA announced Wednesday it will hold the U.S. Open at Winged Foot in New York without spectators, falling in line with how the PGA Championship will be held next week at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco.

“Following months of consultation and scenario planning with local and state health officials, we have jointly decided that hosting the U.S. Open without spectators will provide the best opportunity to conduct the championship safely for all involved,” Mike Davis, USGA CEO, said.

The USGA had held out hope for months after its initial event was postponed from mid-June to Sept. 17-20. But like many of the sporting events around the country and the world, it is just more realistic to complete the event without fans on site.

The PGA Tour recently announced it will allow some VIP spectators on-site at tournaments beginning with this week’s WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational in Memphis. It remains to be seen how well a small sample of fans will work under the Tour’s purview.

As for 2020’s season of major championships, that leaves just the Masters as a potential site for spectators to see men’s major championship golf. It is unclear if Augusta National will allow patrons on the grounds.