R&A cancels the Open Championship
The 149th Open Championship, which was to be played at Royal St George’s from July 16 to 19, had been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, golf’s governing body the R&A announced on Monday.
“The R&A has decided to cancel the Open in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” it said in a statement. “The Championship will next be played at Royal St George’s in 2021.”
Shane Lowry of Ireland was hoping to retain the trophy at Royal St George s. “Obviously I’m disappointed
’ that I won’t get to defend my title but people’s health and safety come before any golf tournament,” he said in a video posted on Twitter.
“I’m sure the R&A have thought long and hard about this. You can guarantee the Claret Jug is in safe hands for another year and I look forward to seeing you all in 2021.”
Martin Slumbers, CEO of the R&A, said the decision had been made with a “heavy heart”.
“We appreciate that this will be disappointing for a great many people around the world, but this pandemic is severely affecting the UK and we have to act responsibly, he said.
This is the ”first time since 1945 that the British Open will miss a year.
● The three US-based Major championships announced rescheduled 2020 dates on Monday. The PGA Championship is now scheduled to be played from August 6-9 at Harding Park in San Francisco.
The US Open was rescheduled from June to September 1720 with the Ryder Cup to be contested one week later at Whistling Straits as scheduled.
The Masters has been rescheduled for November 12-15. /