The Ryder Cup is a tournament that takes place every other year pitting golfers from the United States against European golfers. Unfortunately, the 2020 edition of the tournament has been postponed to next year due to the coronavirus.
This decision has been on the minds of PGA officials for weeks now, as they were trying to decide what to do. They finally made the decision to push it back to 2021.
“As disappointing as this is, our mandate to do all we can to safeguard public health is what matters most,” PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh said in a statement. “The spectators who support both the U.S. and European sides are what make the Ryder Cup such a unique and compelling event, and playing without them was not a realistic option.”
It was scheduled to be held this year at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin during late September. A decision had to be made soon so preparations could take place.
“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,” Waugh said.
Presidents Cup
The off years for the Ryder Cup are years that the Presidents Cup takes place. But since the Ryder Cup is moving back, so will the 2021 President Cup.
Since the Ryder Cup is now being held in September 2021, the Presidents Cup will be in September 2022.
Impact of the Fans
The PGA has had success holding their golf tournaments without fans. Golf is a sport where social distancing practices can be met. However, the Ryder Cup is different altogether.
The team environment of the U.S. vs. Europe creates a different fan experience. With these golfers now on teams, the atmosphere is much more exciting.
“When you think of the Ryder Cup, you think of the distinctive atmosphere generated by the spectators, such as around the first tee at Le Golf National two years ago,” European captain Padraig Harrington said. “If that cannot be responsibly recreated at Whistling Straits in September, then it is correct that we all wait until it can be.”
The tournament alternates years between the U.S. and Europe to change “home-field advantage.” This year was the U.S.’s turn to have much of the fan support in the gallery.
A lot of these golfers seem perfectly fine when asked about current tournaments. They want to get back out there and play even if fans aren’t there. But the answer changes when discussing the Ryder Cup.
“I want a Ryder Cup with full capacity,” England’s Paul Casey said last month as this decision loomed. “I want it with screaming fans. I saw the headlines. I fully support that.
“Even as a European, knowing how loud that would be for the American team, that’s what I want. We want to play a Ryder Cup in that environment, in that cauldron, and (postponing) is the right thing to do.”
It wasn’t an easy call for the PGA to make, but it seems they may have gotten this one right.