Just hours after the PGA TOUR announced it was going to play events, but without fans, it was announced that the events would be canceled.
The PGA Tour issued the following statement late tonight:
"It is with regret that we are announcing the cancellation of THE PLAYERS Championship.
We have also decided to cancel all PGA TOUR events – across all of our Tours – in the coming weeks, through the Valero Texas Open.
We have pledged from the start to be responsible, thoughtful and transparent with our decision process. We did everything possible to create a safe environment for our players in order to continue the event throughout the weekend, and we were endeavoring to give our fans a much-needed respite from the current climate. But at this point – and as the situation continues to rapidly change – the right thing to do for our players and our fans is to pause.
We will be prepared to answer additional questions on Friday at 8 a.m."
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The PGA Tour has announced that PGA TOUR events will proceed as scheduled, but without fans through the Valero Texas Open, March 30 - April 5. The decision also impacts the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play tournament in Austin on March 25-29.
Commissioner Jay Monahan issued the following statement:
"Let me preface my remarks by reinforcing that the health and safety of our players, employees, partners, volunteers, fans and everybody associated with the PGA TOUR is our top priority.
I’ve spoken to President Trump this morning, and I spoke to Governor Ron DeSantis a few hours ago as well. Our team is in constant communication with local health authorities in each market in which our tournaments are played, and we are tracking and monitoring the health information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and World Health Organization in addition to the travel advisories provided by the U.S. State Department. Both the White House and the Governor’s office have been and are supportive of the precautionary measures we have taken to this point.
It goes without saying that this is an incredibly fluid and dynamic situation. We have been and are committed to being responsible, thoughtful and transparent with our decision process.
With that as pretext, at this point in time, PGA TOUR events – across all Tours – will currently proceed as scheduled, but will do so without fans. This policy starts at THE PLAYERS Championship tomorrow (Friday) and continues through the Valero Texas Open. It’s important to note, that could change, but for the time being, this decision allows the PGA TOUR, our fans and constituents to plan, prepare and respond as events develop.
Further, the recently announced travel advisories and potential logistical issues associated with players and staff traveling internationally limit our ability to successfully stage the Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship. Therefore, we are going to postpone that event and will provide details in the coming weeks on a reschedule as this situation develops.
We will continue THE PLAYERS with essential personnel only, and we will be in direct conversations with those groups (vendors, broadcasters, media, player support groups, essential volunteers) to provide instructions.
This is a difficult situation, one with consequences that impact our players, fans and the communities in which we play. As I said earlier this week, we’ve had a team in place that has been carefully monitoring and assessing the situation and its implications for several weeks. We’ve weighed all the options, and I appreciate the input and collaboration across the TOUR, our industry, our partners and our members that got us to this point. We’ll continue with that collaboration, and I want to thank our fans for supporting the PGA TOUR."
The Valero Texas Open issued the following statement:
"Earlier today The PGA TOUR announced that due to the ongoing health crisis, events will proceed as scheduled – without spectators – starting with Friday’s second round at THE PLAYERS Championship through the Valero Texas Open.
In accordance with today’s PGA TOUR announcement, the Valero Texas Open professional competition will continue as scheduled, however, spectators will not be admitted. The tournament will be conducted with essential personnel only.
The health and safety of our fans, players, sponsors, volunteers and community-at-large is our top priority as we assess all aspects of the tournament’s operation going forward.
More information regarding ticket refunds will be communicated as it becomes available.
All other related tournament week activities are being evaluated. Tournament officials will update any new information accordingly.
We appreciate the patience and understanding of all those impacted. Due to the fluidity of the current landscape, these plans are subject to change."