The first time since 1945.
Yes, the Masters, our indication that golf season is officially starting, has been postponed due to the Coronavirus outbreak. The question is now when will we see golfers return to Augusta’s pristine fairways?
Last week the PGA Tour initially said it would play its tournaments without spectators and then announced it was putting the tour on hold, canceling events leading up to the Masters. The Augusta National organization then announced it was postponing all events at the club, including the Masters. It was the first time since the end of World War II that the tournament is on hold.
That’s led to a lot of speculation as to when the tournament—traditionally the first major of the year—should return once golf starts again.
Right now, there’s no clarity on when golf will restart. When the uncertainty has ended we can expect golf to start again. Though there are no open spots in the current PGA Tour calendar, perhaps the schedule could be shuffled to allow the Masters to be played. There’s a chance it could be played on a week where the regular PGA Tour event is an opposite field tournament, something the tour has shied away from, but was common in the past.
Or maybe, the tour could push the Masters into the fall, after the Ryder Cup and the FedExCup playoffs.
Here are four scenarios for the Masters’ future.
Play the Masters as soon as we get the okay to restart the PGA Tour?
The Masters kicks off the golf season for many. Why not put it in the position to relaunch the year once professional sports starts up again?
Play the Masters later in the season, perhaps on the same week as another tournament.
There have been opposite field events that ran the same week as majors in the past. Why not do it again with the Masters, which already has a very small field?
Play the Masters after the FedExCup playoffs.
This might be the least disruptive option, but it would mean we’d have to wait until much later in the year to see the tournament.
Just cancel the Masters.
Given current uncertainties, maybe we need to simply put safety first and relaunch the Masters next year.
What’s your take? Tell us in the comments below!
I am a long time Golftown customer. You are embarrassing the company by discussing trivial matters as to the schedule of golf tournaments. Everything is closed. Golf courses and your stores. It is ridiculous to discuss how we may be golfing in 3-4-5 months from now. This will not happen. Let go of what is important for your business and issue no comments, solicit no comments, and wait in silence. This will show the world the respect it deserves for battling the situation as it is. People cannot buy groceries without armed police, wear masks to travel on everyday actions, and have been isolated by order of the federal government. Whoever approved this article on your site is not in touch with the reality of the situation in Canada.
Derek
Hi Derek, Thank you for you reaching out. We are not taking the situation lightly, as it impacts not only our customers, but also our staff and the entire golf community. With so much uncertainty right now, we are trying to make the best of a difficult situation by using our platform as an outlet for golfers where we can provide them with trending news in the golf world as well as resources for them to keep their game in shape while at home. Thank you for your feedback, we do appreciate it.
Wow Derek it’s just an article to help thru this stuff.Iam curious where you shop that armed guards protect your groceries. As for golf I honestly believe we will be playing this summer because being outside your getting your distance from others and also getting some much needed fresh air and exercise. But it seems to me your just being a little harsh on Golf Town when all their doing is giving an article to help lighten the mood Well good luck in your golf game and try to relax and get thru these hard times but remember we as people can make it thru anything we always have and always will
Since it is an invitational; they could make it a reduced field but with it’s stringent qualifiers and have another PGA opposite-field event after the Fedex Cup…when most of the top players don’t play in the early part of the wraparound season. Unlike Derek I believe we need some respite to this pandemic as well. I am almost 70 and have been asked by my provincial government to stay inside to help limit the spread…so let’s have a little something to help us relax.
What a nice change in conversation. Can’t wait to see Tiger again. BE WELL ALL
I think that re-staring the season with the Masters would be great for all sports fans, not just golf fans. It would make a real statement. Unfortunately, another tournament would probably have to give up it’s week, so not likely to happen.
Also, I am in self-isolation and a brief distraction to think about something other than this pandemic for a few minutes does not make me any less concerned about it and it’s impact on the world.
Look, I finally decided to go to the Masters this year to check off a very high item on my bucket list! I spent the kids inheritance to buy a ticket and began the dream thinking about the tournament. Suddenly….COVID-19! My dream is to see Augusta National in the spring, lush green grass and magnolias everywhere. The first breath of spring! I could care less about seeing the players……I want to walk the golf course! Augusta in the fall has no appeal to me. Fall golf in Canada is the best and it’s in my backyard.
CANCEL the tournament!
play the masters as the first tournament when replay is approved.
Can’t imagine a golf season without it. Get it in whenever it is safe to do so.
Not that I’m a pessimist but I don’t see any end to this for quite some time. However, having said that, now that the Olympic Games have been cancelled perhaps the Masters could be slotted into that weekend. Just a thought.