A tradition unlike any other is now a sports event like every other.
The 2020 Masters golf tournament, the marquee event on the sport’s calendar, has been postponed due to the global coronavirus pandemic.
The Masters had been scheduled for April 9-12. Tiger Woods is the defending champion.
“Considering the latest information and expert analysis, we have decided at this time to postpone the Masters Tournament, the Augusta National Women’s Amateur and the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals,” Augusta National Golf Club chairman Fred Ridley said in a statement Friday morning.
“Ultimately, the health and well-being of everyone associated with these events and the citizens of the Augusta community led us to this decision. We hope this postponement puts us in the best position to safely host the Masters Tournament and our amateur events at some later date.”
The postponement comes after the Players Championship and the following three events on the PGA Tour calendar were cancelled Thursday night. Earlier Thursday, March Madness was cancelled, the MLB season was delayed and the NHL season was suspended, joining the NBA in hiatus, due to the health crisis.
The Masters, it its 86-year history, has never been held outside March or April, according to ESPN.
