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The Masters postponed due to coronavirus outbreak

By Cody Williams

AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 05: A detailed shot of a Masters logo is seen on a green jacket during the first round of the 2018 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 5, 2018 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 05: A detailed shot of a Masters logo is seen on a green jacket during the first round of the 2018 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 5, 2018 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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The Masters, the first major championship of the golf season on April 12-15, has been postponed due to the coronavirus by Augusta National Golf Club.

It’s clear that the PGA Tour and golf clubs throughout the United States have not wanted to take measures to combat the spread of coronavirus but, on Thursday, they were forced to start. It began with banning spectators, which then grew to cancelling all tournaments until April 5. The question looming, however, was what would happen to The Masters the following week.

On Friday morning, we got our answer. Augusta National Golf Club chairman Fred Ridley announced that The Masters would be postponed in 2020, along with the amateur events of the week at the hallowed golfing grounds, which includes the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship and the Drive, Chip and Putt National Championships. The prevention of the spread of the coronavirus was cited as the reason.

The announcement of a postponement comes on the heels of cancelling four tournaments, including the remaining three rounds of The PLAYERS Championship after they played on Thursday, and the cancellation of major events such as both men’s and women’s March Madness tournaments and all NCAA winter and spring championships due to the coronavirus. In essence, we should’ve expected it.

As recently as Thursday, there were discussions about having The Masters in a barebones capacity with no spectators and none of the special events at Augusta National. However, that was obviously deemed to not be the best course of action.

While it’s going to be strange — as much of this sports world reaction to the coronavirus is — to not have The Masters played in early April, it’s for the best. All of the decisions that have been made throughout the sports world not only keep the athletes safe but the spectators who were planning to attend as well. That should be at the forefront of every decision every league or governing body makes and it surely was here.

Any updates on the future dates of The Masters in 2020 has yet to be announced or released at this time.

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