Ryder Cup 2020 postponed until 2021

The coronavirus pandemic has forced organisers to push the event back 12 months

The 2020 Ryder Cup has been postponed 12 months due to the coronavirus pandemic, organisers have confirmed. The biennial match between golfers from USA and Europe was scheduled to take place at Whistling Straits, Wisconsin on 25-27 September, but will now take place next year from 24-26 September.

Subsequent Ryder Cups will now fall in odd years, with the 2022 tournament in Rome shifting to 2023 and the following event at Farmingdale, New York now taking place in 2025.

The Presidents Cup, between USA and the rest of the world excluding Europe, was also slated for September and has also been postponed by a year.

In a statement, organisers said: “The decision to reschedule the Ryder Cup was based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and in conjunction with the state of Wisconsin and Sheboygan County, with the health and well-being of all involved as the top priority.”

The Ryder Cup is renowned for its raucous atmosphere and organisers are clearly keen to avoid a scenario in which fans cannot attend, as has been the case for much of the sporting world’s return so far since the pandemic began.

Europe captain Padraig Harrington said: “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,” said the 48-year-old Irish three-time major winner.

“If that cannot be responsibly recreated at Whistling Straits in September, then it is correct that we all wait until it can be.”

Three of the four annual men’s majors are still scheduled to take place in 2020, all in the United States, after the Open at Royal St George’s in Kent, which was set to go ahead next week, was cancelled.

The rearranged USPGA Championship is set to be the first major of the year, held without fans in San Francisco from 6-9 August. The US Open at Winged Foot, New York State will take place from 17-20 September, with the Masters following from 12-15 November at Augusta National.