THE 2020 Ryder Cup will not take place in September and the 2021 Presidents Cup has also rescheduled.
Both events will now be played one year later than originally planned with players on both teams – including Rory McIlroy calling for the biennial match between the USA and Europe to be called off if fans could not attend.
The 43rd Ryder Cup, scheduled for the week of September 22-27 at Whistling Straits, in Kohler, Wisconsin, has been rescheduled for the week of September 21-26, 2021.
The PGA of America, Ryder Cup Europe and the PGA Tour jointly announced the changes this afternoon.
The 2021 Presidents Cup – initially scheduled for September 30-October 3, 2021 at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina – will now be played from September 23-25, 2022.
Additionally, as a result of the Presidents Cup date change, the Wells Fargo Championship will be played at its traditional venue at Quail Hollow in 2021 – and at TPC Potomac in 2022, during Presidents Cup year.
Both organisations behind the Ryder Cup agreed that the match should not be played without fans.
The decision to reschedule the Ryder Cup was made based on guidance from the USA’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
It was also taken in conjunction with the state of Wisconsin and Sheboygan County – with the health and well-being of all involved as the top priority.
Seth: Decision had to be taken now
PGA of America chief executive Seth Waugh said a decision on calling off September’s Ryder Cup had to be made today – 10 weeks before Europe were due to defend the trophy.
He said: “Unlike other major sporting events that are played in existing stadiums, we had to make a decision now about building facilities to host the 2020 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits.
“It became clear that – as of today – our medical experts and the public authorities in Wisconsin could not give us certainty that conducting an event responsibly with thousands of spectators, in September, would be possible.
“Given that uncertainty, we knew rescheduling was the right call.
“We are grateful to Commissioner Jay Monahan and our partners at the PGA Tour for their flexibility and generosity in the complex task of shifting the global golf calendar.
“As disappointing as this is, our mandate to do all we can to safeguard public health is what matters most.
“The spectators who support both the US and European sides are what make the Ryder Cup such a unique and compelling event.
“And playing without them was not a realistic option.
“We stand united with our partners from Ryder Cup Europe, the NBC Sports Group, Sky and our other broadcast partners around the world.
“We look forward to delivering the Ryder Cup’s renowned pageantry, emotion and competitive drama to a global audience in 2021.”
Kinnings: Ryder Cup fans’ health comes first
EUROPE’S Ryder Cup director Guy Kinnings was fully behind his American counterparts.
He said: “The Ryder Cup is rightly celebrated as one of the world’s greatest sporting occasions, made special and totally unique in our sport by the fervent atmosphere created by the passionate spectators of both sides.
“While that point is significant, it is not as important as the health of the spectators which, in these difficult times, is always the main consideration.
“We considered all options including playing with a limited attendance. But all our stakeholders agreed this would dilute the magic of this great occasion.
“We therefore stand beside our partners at the PGA of America in the decision to postpone the Ryder Cup for a year, and join with them in extending our thanks to the PGA Tour for their willingness to help by moving the date of the Presidents Cup.”
The last time the Ryder Cup was postponed for 12 months was in the aftermath of the 9/11 terror attacks on New York, with the event moving from 2001 to a year later at The Belfry.
With the decision to play the 2020 Ryder Cup in September 2021, all subsequent Ryder Cups after Whistling Straits will also shift to odd years.
The new dates are:
2023 Marco Simone Golf and Country Club (Rome, Italy)
2025 Bethpage Black – Farmingdale, New York
2027 Adare Manor – County Limerick, Ireland
2029 Hazeltine National Golf Club – Chaska, Minnesota
2031 Europe TBD
2033 The Olympic Club – San Francisco, California
2035 Europe TBD
2037 Congressional Country Club – Bethesda, Maryland
Presidents Cup will be played at Quail Hollow in 2022
AFTER America’s Presidents Cup win in Melbourne, in December, the 14th Presidents Cup, will now be played for the first time in the Southeast United States at Quail Hollow Club, in 2022.
“These two premier international team events are lifted by the spirit of the fans,” said PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan.
“With the uncertainty of the current climate, we fully support the Ryder Cup’s decision to delay a year in order to ensure fans could be a part of the incredible atmosphere in Wisconsin.
“And the delay of this year’s Presidents Cup was the right decision in order to allow for that option.
“We are thankful that our global partners, our friends at Quail Hollow Club and all associated with the Presidents Cup and the Junior Presidents Cup have approached this change with a unified, positive spirit.
“We are confident the move will give us even more runway as we bring the Presidents Cup to Charlotte in 2022.”
PRESIDENTS CUP INFORMATION:
▪ Masters champion Trevor Immelman will be the International Team captain in 2022
▪ The US team captain has yet to be announced
▪ Presidents Cup 2022 qualifying will be determined in discussions with the captains and tournament leadership at a later date
▪ Subsequent events have also been postponed for a year
▪ 2024 – International location – TBD
▪ 2026 – TPC Harding Park – San Francisco, California
For more information visit PresidentsCup.com