Masters is postponed
Scheduled to be the first major of the year beginning April 9, it might be played later in the year.
Augusta National Golf Club postponed the Masters on Friday with hopes that golf’s first major of the year can be rescheduled.
“Unfortunately, the ever-increasing risks associated with the widespread coronavirus have led us to a decision that undoubtedly will be disappointing to many, although I am confident it is appropriate under these unique circumstances,” Masters chairman Fred Ridley said in a statement.
The Masters had been scheduled for April 9-12 and the decision comes a day after the PGA Tour canceled the final three rounds of the Players Championship as well as three other tournaments.
“That’s not a fun message to get,” said J.T. Poston, among PGA Tour winners who had qualified for their first Masters. “That’s a tournament that I’ve been looking forward to since I was a kid, and still very much looking forward to it. I know I’ll get my chance at it. Just won’t know when that’ll be.”
In other coronavirus-related developments on Friday:
MLB postponed spring training for two weeks and will push back the start of the regular season to mid-April.
The NBA put a 10-day moratorium on all business and canceled the Portsmouth, Va., scouting camp. The NCAA banned in-person recruitment. The NFL banned all visits and workouts with draft prospects.
NASCAR postponed its races in Atlanta this weekend.
Racing on the NTT IndyCar Series has been suspended through April.
Los Alamitos Race Course changed plans and will bar the public from watching its races or bet simulcast racing.
The Bahrain and Vietnam Grand Prix races have been postponed.
The Boston Marathon was postponed until Sept. 14.
The London Marathon was postponed until Oct. 4.
The Olympic torch relay in Greece was suspended.
Premier League and UEFA Champions League matches have been postponed.
Soccer in Scotland has been suspended following a similar move in England.
The French soccer league suspended all matches indefinitely.
The German soccer league suspended all play through at least April 2.
The Big Ten Conference suspended team activities until April 6.
The Big 12 Conference canceled remainder of baseball season.
The Southeastern Conference extended suspension of play to April 15.
The California Community College Athletic Assn. postponed indefinitely practices and competition for spring sports. USA Basketball suspended all scheduled events. USA Diving suspended all activities for 30 days. USA Wrestling postponed Olympic trials. The U.S. Equestrian Federation suspended events it runs for the next 30 days.
Overwatch League announces matches will be played live in an online format when it resumes March 21.