New Tour schedule aims to play Masters in November, keep Ryder Cup in 2020

Golf’s governing bodies are close to unveiling a new schedule that would see at least three major championships — including the Masters in November. The planned joint announcement of a new schedule has been delayed while the R&A decides if the 149th Open Championship — slated for July 16-19 — will be postponed or canceled entirely. A rescheduled Open would take place at the same venue from Sept. 17-20 — just one week before the Ryder Cup. If the R&A is to cancel, that slot on the calendar could see the U.S. Open at Winged Foot. Another option under consideration: holding the U.S. Open later in the year on the West coast. The USGA has had initial talks with two potential venues in California, Torrey Pines & Pebble Beach. Both Torrey Pines and Pebble Beach have multiple courses on property — a key consideration in getting a full field around for the first two rounds with limited daylight. The Masters, which was due to begin next week at Augusta National Golf Club, is tentatively penciled in for the week of Nov. 9. And what was for so many years the last major of the season is now aiming to be the first: the PGA Championship will be scheduled for Aug. 6-9 at Harding Park in San Francisco. It’s unclear whether the Tour would seek to begin its 2020-21 wraparound season as usual after the Tour Championship.

Golf’s governing bodies are close to unveiling a new schedule that would see at least three major championships — including the Masters in November. The planned joint announcement of a new schedule has been delayed while the R&A decides if the 149th Open Championship — slated for July 16-19 — will be postponed or canceled entirely. A rescheduled Open would take place at the same venue from Sept. 17-20 — just one week before the Ryder Cup. If the R&A is to cancel, that slot on the calendar could see the U.S. Open at Winged Foot. Another option under consideration: holding the U.S. Open later in the year on the West coast. The USGA has had initial talks with two potential venues in California, Torrey Pines & Pebble Beach. Both Torrey Pines and Pebble Beach have multiple courses on property — a key consideration in getting a full field around for the first two rounds with limited daylight. The Masters, which was due to begin next week at Augusta National Golf Club, is tentatively penciled in for the week of Nov. 9. And what was for so many years the last major of the season is now aiming to be the first: the PGA Championship will be scheduled for Aug. 6-9 at Harding Park in San Francisco. It’s unclear whether the Tour would seek to begin its 2020-21 wraparound season as usual after the Tour Championship.