In the current world of chaos and confusion brought about by a global pandemic that no-one could imagine and few could have predicted, the world of golf is equally unsettled.

Many long and hard conversations have been had over the past weeks regarding this year’s packed international golf schedule and finally after much discussion between all the governing bodies it looks like a new schedule has been agreed and laid down.

The Open

As a result the 149^th Open will been postponed until next year, when it will take place at the Royal St George’s in Sandwich, Kent from 11-18 July 2021.  This in turn ensures the 150^th Open will be hosted as planned at the home of golf, St Andrews in Scotland from 10-17 July 2022.

Make no mistake this was no easy decision to make, and the organisers have said all the tickets bought for this year’s tournament will be transferred to next year’s event, with full refunds for those people no longer able to attend.

R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers said: “We have explored every option for playing The Open this year but it is not going to be possible.

“We care deeply about this historic Championship and have made this decision with a heavy heart.

“We appreciate that this will be disappointing for a great many people around the world but we have to act responsibly during this pandemic and it is the right thing to do.”

It is the first time The Open has been cancelled since the 1940-45 tournaments were not played because of World War Two.

It is understood that the R&A had pandemic insurance cover, which should significantly reduce the financial losses from the cancellation.

British Open betting has also been postponed with most sports betting sites not offering odds on this event.

US Masters

Due to start on the 9^th April at the Augusta National in Georgia, an early decision in mid-March was taken to postpone the first men’s major championship of the year, the US Masters.

It was unrealistic to think even right at the start of this pandemic that the Masters would go ahead as planned. It will now be played 12-15 November and will stay at Augusta.

Again it is the Masters’ first postponement since World War II, which stopped the tournament in 1943, 1944 and 1945.

US Master betting is still on with Rory McIlroy the clear favourite.

US PGA

An early decision was also taken by the US PGA which resulted in the postponement of the US PGA Championship because of the coronavirus outbreak.

“Throughout our evaluation process, we have been committed to following the guidance of public health authorities” said PGA America, chief executive officer Seth Waugh.

The US PGA was scheduled to take place at Harding Park, San Francisco from 11-17 May but will now take place at the same venue from 30 July to 2 August 2020.

Rory McIlroy is also top of the US PGA Betting.

US Open

And so that leaves the US Open, originally scheduled to take place from 15-21 June 2020 at Winged Foot, New York.  This has now been postponed and the championship rescheduled to 17-20 September, remaining at Winged Foot, New York.  This will play just one week before the Ryder Cup starts.

Rory McIlroy is favourite in US Open betting making him the favourite in all 3 majors to be played this year.

2020 Ryder Cup

And finally, the PGA recently confirmed that the Ryder Cup remains as originally scheduled and will be played at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin from 22-27 September.

The USA are favourites on home turf in Ryder Cup betting.

Major Golfing Dates for 2020

• Postponed until 2021:The Open Championship, Royal St George’s, 11-18 July 2021
• 6-9 August:US PGA Championship, TPC Harding Park, San Francisco, California
• 17-20 September:US Open, Winged Foot Golf Club, New York
• 25-27 September:Ryder Cup, Whistling Straits, Wisconsin
• 12-15 November:Masters, Augusta National Golf Club, Georgia

Article references:
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf
www.pgachampionship.com
www.pgatour.com
www.usga.org