Women’s British Open going ahead without any fans
The Women’s British Open and Ladies Scottish Open will be played without fans next month due to the coronavirus pandemic, the R&A announced Tuesday.
The Ladies Scottish Open is scheduled to be contested at The Renaissance Club in North Berwick Aug. 13-16, with the Women’s British Open taking place the following week at Royal Troon, site of The Open Championship in 2016.
U.K. Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden announced earlier this week that border restriction exemptions would be put in place for certain athletes and event staff.
With the Evian Championship in France cancelled due to the pandemic, the Women’s British Open will mark the first women’s major of 2020.
With qualifying events for the tournament cancelled, the field will be comprised from the Rolex world rankings and placement in recent worldwide tournaments. The top five players not already exempt from the Marathon Classic will qualify, as well as the top three players not already qualified from the Ladies Scottish Open.
“We believe that playing the AIG Women’s British Open is a significant step for players whose playing opportunities have been severely impacted this year,” R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers said. “As they compete to be the 2020 champion in historic circumstances, these athletes will continue to inspire golfers and sports fans around the world who will be closely following events from Royal Troon on TV and social media.”
A “bio-secure” zone will be created for essential personnel including players, caddies, officials and event staging staff.
The LPGA has been on hiatus since the Honda LPGA Thailand was cancelled in February, and is scheduled to return with the new Drive On Championship at the Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio, from July 31 to Aug. 2.
The Marathon Classic is scheduled for Aug. 6-9 in Sylvania, Ohio, with fans currently slated to be in attendance.