2020 Ryder Cup postponed to 2021 due to impact of coronavirus

Europe is the current holder of the Ryder Cup after defeating the US in the 2018 game at Le Golf National in France

The Ryder Cup 2020 has been postponed by one year because the coronavirus pandemic means that the event cannot be safely staged with spectators present.

The event between the United States and Europe was to take place in Whistling Straits, Wisconsin on September 25-27.

But the biennial event has now been moved to September 24-26, 2021.

"The spectators are making one unique and compelling event of and playing without them was not a realistic option, "said PGA of the American chef Seth Waugh.

"It became clear that as of today, our medical experts and the Wisconsin government could not give us the assurance that it would be possible to host a responsible event with thousands of spectators in September

"Given that uncertainty, we knew that recasting was the right thing to do."

Professional men's golf has resumed behind closed doors, but players have said that the Ryder Cup should not go on without fans .

Former Captain Clarke backs decision to postpone Ryder Cup

& # 39; It is true that we are all waiting & # 39;

The European Tour announced that the qualifying process for the European team has been frozen to the beginning from 2021. [1 9459007]

And the next Ryder Cup to be held in Europe has been pushed back a year and Rome will now host the event in 2023

European skipper Padraig Harrington said that the recast of the tournament was the right decision.

"When you think of the Ryder Cup, you think of the signature atmosphere generated by the spectators, such as around the first tee at Le Golf National two years ago," said the Irishman, 48 years old.

"If that can't be recreated responsibly at Whistling Straits in September, then it is correct that we all wait for it to happen."

] American Captain Steve Stricker, 53, echoed Harrington's sentiments, adding, "We want to host a Ryder Cup that will rival all other Ryder Cups in my home state of Wisconsin."

In 2018, Europe regained the trophy with a 17½-10½ victory over the US in the 42nd edition of the biennial competition.

Meanwhile, there was a knock-on effect of next September's presidential cup realignment – between the U.S. and a Rest of the World team – at Quail Hollow is now too postponed for a year.

The Wells Fargo Championship will be played at the traditional location in Quail Hollow in 2021 and at TPC Potomac in 2022, during the Presidential Cup year.

Three majors remain

The PGA Tour in the US has played four events behind closed doors after the coronavirus-imposed shutdown, despite a handful of positive tests, while the European Tour on July 22 resumes with the first of six consecutive events in the UK.

The number of daily coronavirus cases is increasing again in the US with fears that it could reach 100,000 a day

Only three out of four men's annual majors will take place in 2020 – all in the United States – after the Open Championship, which will be played July 15-18 at Royal St George & # 39; s in Kent was canceled.

The recast USPGA Championship is now the first major of the year, but will be held behind closed doors in San Francisco from August 6-9.

The US Open will be played at Winged Foot in New York State September 17-20, with the Masters November 12-15 at Augusta National.

Analysis

BBC Sports Golf Correspondent Iain Carter

It was clear that there were two different camps: those who know the financial difficulties to go through period without holding an event that is their biggest cash cow, and the players.

These golfers had no interest in generating roars and cheers that would only be heard in living rooms. They have to hear them for themselves – that is what makes the Ryder Cup so attractive to them.

And it was that view that ultimately held sway. The players are everything and their views have played the biggest role in the decision to postpone until 2021.

So we wait another year. Hopefully, former Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn's fears are groundless, though there is plenty to suggest that he makes a disturbing point about whether it will be possible to have fans at the game in 2021.