Scottish Open joins a growing list of Euro golf posptonements
THIS year’s Scottish Open golf has been postponed as the European Tour announced the cancellation of two more of its events because of the continuing threat posed by the spread of the coronavirus.
While the PGA Tour this week announced plans to resume in June, its European counterpart has decided to scrap the BMW International Open due to be played from June 25-28 at Golfclub Munchen Eichenried in Munich.
The Open de France, scheduled for the following week at Le Golf National, near Paris, will also not take place this year following the French government’s decision to ban all mass gatherings and events until mid-July.
Talks are ongoing to salvage the Scottish Open, one of eight Rolex Series events announced at the start of the 2020 season, which was originally to be held at The Renaissance Club in North Berwick from July 9-12.
The event is traditionally a precursor to The Open - which would have taken place a week after but has already been mothballed due to the ongoing crisis.
Keith Pelley, European Tour chief executive, said: “The decision to cancel the BMW International Open, which has been a cornerstone of the European Tour calendar for three decades, and the Open de France, one of our most historic national Opens was made in consultation with our long-term partner BMW and the French Golf Federation respectively with public health and well-being the absolute priority for all of us.
“Both Germany and France have been significantly impacted by coronavirus, and our thoughts go out to everyone affected in both countries, as well as elsewhere around the world.
“In consultation with Aberdeen Standard Investments, VisitScotland and Rolex, we have also decided to postpone the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open, which is part of our prestigious Rolex Series.
“Discussions about the possibility of rescheduling this event will continue as we look at a variety of different scenarios for our schedule for when it is safe and permitted to resume playing.
“We will only announce details of these plans when we have clarity on the global situation.”
The PGA Tour in the United States has announced plans to resume in June, with the first four tournaments being closed to spectators due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The tour has been suspended since the Players Championship was cancelled after the opening round on March 12, with the first three majors of the year - the Masters, US PGA and US Open postponed and the Open Championship cancelled for 2020.
As a result, September’s US Open and November’s rescheduled Masters will form part of the PGA Tour’s 2020-21 season, with 14 events remaining on the 2019-20 calendar.
“The health and safety of all associated with the PGA TOUR and our global community continues to be our No. 1 priority, and our hope is to play a role responsibly - in the world’s return to enjoying the things we love,” PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said.
“Today’s announcement is another positive step for our fans and players as we look toward the future, but as we’ve stressed on several occasions, we will resume competition only when - working closely with our tournaments, partners and communities - it is considered safe to do so under the guidance of the leading public health authorities.”
The tour had previously been scheduled to return on May 21 and the extended suspension means that the RBC Canadian Open and the Barbasol Championship have been cancelled. The Charles Schwab Challenge, which tees off on June 11 in Texas, is scheduled to be the first event after the resumption.
A PGA Tour statement added: “At this time, the TOUR plans to resume play with the first four events closed to the general public but will continue to monitor the situation and follow the recommendations of local and state authorities in order to determine the most appropriate on-site access in each market.
“As such, the TOUR will continually review available COVID-19-related protocols that could be implemented at PGA TOUR events to ensure the health and well-being for all involved.”