Fans to return at US Opens, say USGA

LOS ANGELES: The United States Golf Association said that a limited number of spectators will be allowed at the men’s and women’s US Open championships taking place in California in June.

USGA official John Bodenhamer said tickets would be available at the US Women’s Open at Olympic Club, San Francisco from June 3-6, and the June 17-20 US Open at Torrey Pines outside San Diego.

“Last year, we missed the energy that fans bring to our US Open championships,” Bodenhamer said in a statement.

“We are grateful to our local and state health and safety officials in California to be in a position to welcome some fans back this year to witness the greatest players in the world contending for these prestigious championships, while working to maintain the health and safety of all involved.”

The USGA did not disclose how many spectators would be allowed at each event.

Those attending would be required to follow Covid-19 protocols which included mandatory face coverings for fans, staff and volunteers as well as strict social distancing.

California residents will be required to show proof of either vaccination or a negative test result to gain access to the championships.

Out-of state fans meanwhile will be required to show proof of vaccination from at least 14 days prior to each tournament.

Meanwhile, the PGA Tour encouraged its players and caddies to receive the Covid-19 vaccine “as soon as possible,” according to a memo from the tour obtained by golfweek.

“While we encourage everyone to get vaccinated as soon as possible, the Tour endeavours to make vaccine as accessible as possible once supply becomes available for private allocation,” the memo read in part.

The Tour stopped short of mandating that players and caddies get inoculated. That falls in line with how several other North American sports leagues, the NFL and NBA chief among them, have decided to approach the topic of vaccines.