PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – Nearly 10 hours after deciding to hold the Players Championship without spectators, the PGA Tour reversed course and shockingly called off the tournament and other events for the next three weeks.
In a statement released Thursday night, the Tour announced Friday’s second round would not be played at TPC Sawgrass. The decision came following an extraordinary 36 hours during which the NBA suspended its season, the NCAA canceled March Madness and Major League Baseball called off spring training games and delayed the start of its regular season.
“We have also decided to cancel all PGA Tour events – across all of our Tours – in the coming weeks, through the Valero Texas Open,” the Tour said in a statement, which would also affect next week’s Valspar Championship near Tampa and WGC Dell Match Play in Austin.
“We have pledged from the start to be responsible, thoughtful and transparent with our decision process. We did everything possible to create a safe environment for our players in order to continue the event throughout the weekend, and we were endeavoring to give our fans a much-needed respite from the current climate. But at this point – and as the situation continues to rapidly change – the right thing to do for our players and our fans is to pause.”
Commissioner Jay Monahan’s decision also follows an announcement from LPGA commissioner Michael Whan to postpone three additional women’s tournaments, including the first major of the season, the ANA Inspiration.
Tour officials had been in contact with WHO and CDC and Monahan said earlier in the day the situation is fluid. At 6:45 p.m., the Tour sent out a second statement with details explaining how the tournament would be covered without fans. It stood virtually alone in the sports world before coming to its senses and joining the rest of the world’s sporting events in suspending its schedule.
Monahan is expected to speak to the media on Friday morning at 8 a.m.