Relaxed virus reaction by US

‘‘I think the United States has really been casual about it compared to the rest of the world. I saw today that events have been cancelled and Indian Wells has been cancelled in California and especially there they are taking it very seriously.

‘‘What it means for the world of golf, with the major being played in May, who knows?

‘‘All we can do as professionals is follow the guidelines from the CDC [the centre of disease control] and hope that it will all get resolved and people can get back to normal.’’

McIlroy is too worldly to be wrapped up solely in the cossetted environs of the PGA Tour, but there are increasingly desperate arrangements going on behind the scenes to ensure the schedule continues as planned.

There have been rumours of the Masters being played behind closed doors, while, given the comments of Jay Monahan, the PGA Tour commissioner, that seems almost inevitable for the WGC World Match Play in Austin in two weeks.

Monahan admitted that the circuits were considering ‘‘contingency’’ plans ‘‘for a lot of different scenarios’’ around its tournaments ‘‘given that this is an unprecedented situation’’.

‘‘This thing is so dynamic that we have to go hour to hour, day to day, but right now we have every assurance that we will be in Austin for the event,’’ Monahan said.

‘‘The health, safety and well-being of our players, our fans, everybody that’s involved in our ecosystem is of utmost importance.’’

Pouring cold water on the PGA of America’s declaration, Monahan stressed the necessity for the golf powers to ‘‘work as closely together as you ever have to help each other get through this’’.