Augusta National postpones Masters golf due to coronavirus threat

The event was delayed, not canceled, so defending champion Tiger Woods might get the chance to capture a 16th major title at the famed course at some uncertain future date.

This year’s Masters tournament, the season’s first major golf championship, has been postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak, Augusta National Golf Club chairman Fred Ridley announced Friday.

“Considering the latest information and expert analysis, we have decided at this time to postpone the Masters tournament,” Ridley said in a statement.

The event was delayed, not canceled, so defending champion Tiger Woods might get the chance to capture a 16th major title at the famed course at some uncertain future date.

The outbreak, which has prompted a virtual shutdown of American sport, also forced Ridley to postpone the Augusta National Women’s Amateur and youth Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals.

“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.”

Augusta National typically closes soon after hosting the world’s top players, reopening later each year, so the possibility remains that it could be rescheduled later in the year, potentially in the fall after the 2019-20 US PGA season is complete given the schedule already booked through August.

The US PGA Tour has canceled this week’s Players Championship and every other tune-up event for the original Masters date, leaving its next event currently on the calendar as the Heritage tournament, set to start on April 16.

The next major championship on the schedule is now the PGA Championship on May 14-17 at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco, an area having been especially hard hit by coronavirus cases already.

“Unfortunately, the ever-increasing risks associated with the widespread coronavirus COVID-19 have led us to a decision that undoubtedly will be disappointing to many, although I am confident is appropriate under these unique circumstances,” Ridley said.

“We will continue to work with the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Office of the Governor, the Georgia Department of Public Health, the City of Augusta and all other local authorities.”

Ridley asked for patience from Masters patrons.

“We will share any additional information as soon as it becomes available,” he said.

“As COVID-19 continues to impact the lives of people everywhere, we seek your understanding of this decision and know you share our concern given these trying times.”

The Masters has been played every year since 1945, when the British Open was the only men’s golf major contested.

The event, which began in 1934, was halted from 1943-1945 due to World War II.