19TH HOLE: NEWS & VIEWS.
At the time of going to press, the world was bracing itself for a greater spread of the potentially fatal Coronavirus (COVID-19). Here, we look at what impact it is having, and will continue to have, on the game globally.
THE world continues to closely monitor the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). And the virus has had an effect on golf in various ways already, including the potential postponement of the Olympics in Tokyo, where golf will be part of the Games.
At the time of writing, the following measures had been taken by various organisational bodies around the world awaiting further information and potential spread of Coronavirus.
The PGA Tour issued a statement in March that said beyond “establishing additional protocols to promote the health and safety of
all participants and fans at our tournaments” there would be no schedule changes beyond those already implemented on the PGA Tour China, where qualifying events have been postponed and the start of the season delayed by two months.
With a greater number of tournaments across the areas more significantly affected, the European Tour took more drastic measures. Events scheduled for early in the year in Malaysia and China – the Maybank Championship and Volvo China Open – were postponed.
“The well-being of our players, spectators and staff is always our absolute priority,” the Tour’s Chief Executive Keith Pelley said.
“While it is therefore regrettable that the Maybank Championship and Volvo China Open have been postponed, we feel this is the correct course of action at this time.”
Even at events going ahead as planned, the European Tour has been disrupted.
At February’s Oman Open, Italians and roommates for the week, Lorenzo Gagli and Edoardo Molinari were quarantined by the Tour’s medical staff in the lead up to the event and initially made to withdraw, before being allowed to play.
“It’s an inexplicable decision,” Gagli said at the time. “Only us two have been excluded from the tournament, but I arrived in Muscat last Sunday and over the last few days I’ve worked out in the gym with dozens of other players. I ate with them and travelled by bus with them.
“If there was a risk of contagion, then they would have to isolate dozens of golfers and cancel the tournament.”
The LPGA Tour, another circuit with a global footprint, also chose to cancel events in China, Thailand and Malaysia, with players expressing concerns beyond the Asian based events.
“I’m worried about the whole season,” said Brittany Lincicome in late February after the virus had officially spread to the United States.
The women’s game has also been affected at the amateur level, with the announcement in the same month that the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship to be held in Thailand had been postponed until October.
Regarding the Olympics, a decision potentially postponing the games from the July 24 to August 9 dates had been widely discussed at the time of going to print – a potentially significant issue for golf at the games considering the events of 2016.
Dustin Johnson became the first player to withdraw his name for consideration citing a focus on the FedExCup playoffs. However, as one of the players to miss the Rio Olympics due to concerns over the Zika virus, it is hard to imagine the latest health scare wasn’t a factor for the former World No.1. Which was a cautious approach also expressed by Lincicome.
“That would be a dream come true (to go to the Olympics) but our health is more important. We’ll just have to cross that bridge when we get there,” the major winner said.
Beyond the game at the elite level, golf
travel to Asia and specifically China had understandably all but ceased in early March, with Mission Hills completely closing its Hainan Island facility.
Similarly, inbound trips to Australia by golfers from Asian countries will be dramatically affected for the foreseeable future with no flights to Australia from China.
“From our perspective, we got on the front foot early,” Steven Baron of China Golf Experience, a company with multiple awards as Australia’s Best Outbound Golf Tour Operator told Golf Australia. “All February, March and April bookings were offered alternative trips and refunds.
“In conjunction with the PGA of Australia, we were running a pro-am at Mission Hills this month (April) with 40 pros and 120 amateurs that was cancelled and refunded.
“CGE’s primary concern is for the health and safety of our clients and staff. As well as concern for our friends in China who haven’t been able to return to work.”
Heading into the final round of The Honda Classic, NBC golf analyst PAUL AZINGER questioned TOMMY FLEETWOOD’S European Tour resume and highlighted his lack of a PGA Tour victory.
“You can win all you want on the European Tour, the international game and all that, but you have to win on the PGA Tour,” Azinger said in reference to Fleetwood, who led by one shot on Sunday morning.
“It’s put a little pressure on Tommy, but this is where they want to be. They want to come here and prove they can make it at this level.”
MICHAEL SIM won the Queensland PGA Championship in wire-to-wire fashion, defeating Sydneysider Scott Arnold on the fourth playoff hole. The 35-year-old dropped shots at 16 and 17 but birdied the 72nd hole to post 12 under and tie Arnold, his close mate who he would later drive back to the Gold Coast with.
Having gone through four caddies throughout the 2019 season, former World No.1 JASON DAY appointed close mate Luke Reardon as his full-time caddie. Last year, Day trialled Reardon and Tiger Woods’ ex bagman Steve Williams, as well as good friends Rika Batibasaga and David Lutterus.
JULIA ENGSTROM claimed her first Ladies European Tour title after nearly acing the final hole at Dubbo Golf Club to win the Women’s NSW Open. The 18-year-old was tied with overnight Belgian leader Manon De Roey – who led by five shots at the beginning of the day – before the Swede’s 5-iron delivered the decisive shot into the 176-metre 18th hole.
“I don’t think I understand it yet … It’s been a great week and I’m just thrilled,” Engstrom said after signing her card.
Former World No.1 ADAM SCOTT threw his support behind the Premier Golf League (PGL), which has been proposed to begin in 2022. He said the US-based circuit “should be concerned” by a cashed-up world tour.
“I think the concept is obviously very, very good,” Scott told AAP. “I compare it a lot to (World Series) cricket starting; Kerry Packer did the exact same kind of thing this world Tour is trying to do. He removed players from the traditional bodies and they left.”
Wunderkind STEPHANIE KYRIACOU took the plunge and turned professional after demolishing the field by eight shots at the Australian Ladies Classic held at Bonville Golf Resort. With her victory, the 19-year-old Sydneysider earned a two-year exemption on the Ladies European Tour and a start at the LPGA major, the ANA Inspiration in, April.