Coronavirus Update 3/18: PGA Tour Cancels, Postpones Multiple Events; Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series Postpones Start of 2020 Season
In light of the CDC’s recent recommendations for curbing the spread of the coronavirus, pro sports leagues continue to postpone or cancel seasons and events. Last week, SVG began posting a regularly updated list of announcements from pro leagues regarding postponed, canceled, or altered events. Below are further announcements, made on Wednesday, March 18. Stay tuned to sportsvideo.org for more information on how the spread of the coronavirus is impacting the sports-production industry.
PGA Cancels, Postpones Handful of Tournaments
In response to the CDC’s announcement, the PGA Tour is deciding to either postpone or cancel numerous events.
“We will continue to work with the tournaments and partners affected by the schedule changes to make a positive impact in their respective communities and allow those events to come back at full strength in 2021,” says the PGA in a statement. “To give our fans respite from this ongoing situation, the PGA TOUR is working with its partners to make available archives of past PGA TOUR competitions and additional programming for fans. More details will be made available soon.”
The following schedule outlines the postponements of cancellations throughout all six tours:
PGA TOUR
Cancellations
THE PLAYERS Championship (March 9-15)
Valspar Championship (March 16-22)
WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play (March 23-29)
Valero Texas Open (March 30-April 5)
RBC Heritage (April 13-19)
Zurich Classic of New Orleans (April 20-26)
Wells Fargo Championship (April 27-May 3)
AT&T Byron Nelson (May 4-10)
Postponements
Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship (March 23-29)
Masters Tournament (April 6-12)
PGA Championship (May 11-17)
PGA TOUR Champions
Cancellations
Mitsubishi Electric Classic (April 13-19)
Insperity Invitational (April 27-May 3)
Mastercard Japan Championship (June 8-14)
Postponements
Rapiscan Systems Classic (March 23-29)
Rescheduled
Regions Tradition (May 4-10; changed to Sept. 21-27)
Korn Ferry Tour
Cancellations
Chitimacha Louisiana Open presented by MISTRAS (March 16-22)
Lake Charles Championship (March 23-29)
Veritex Bank Championship (April 13-19)
Huntsville Championship (April 20-26)
Simmons Bank Open for the Snedeker Foundation (April 27-May 3)
KC Golf Classic (May 4-10)
Postponements
Savannah Golf Championship (March 30-April 5)
Visit Knoxville Open (May 11-17)
PGA TOUR Latinoamérica
Postponements
Buenos Aires Championship presentado por Volvo (March 23-29)
Termas de Rio Hondo Invitational (March 30-April 5)
89th Abierto OSDE del Centro presentado por Telecom-Fiber Group (April 13-19)
94th Itau Abierto de Chile presentado por Volvo (April 20-26)
Puerto Plata Open (May 4-10)
Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada
Postponements
Qualifying Tournament (California) (March 23-27)
Qualifying Tournament (Arizona) (March 30-April 3)
Qualifying Tournament (Florida) (April 12-17)
Qualifying Tournament (Canada) (April 26-May 1)
PGA TOUR Series-China
Postponements
Qualifying Tournament (China, then moved to Indonesia) (February 25-28)
Qualifying Tournament (Thailand) (March 3-6)
Sanya Championship (March 23-29)
Chongqing Championship (March 30-April 5)
Guangzhou Open (April 13-19)
Clearwater Bay Open (May 4-10)
Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series Season Postponed
Following the actions of other leagues, the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series will not start their season in late April. Despite the postponement, the opening weekend of the championship will remain as planned on Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9 at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Chandler, AZ.
“We are in the midst of an unprecedented public health situation that has not only impacted our ability to host live events, but has also forced all of us to adjust our daily lives,” said Ritchie Lewis, Director of Race Operations, in an issued statement. “As it stands now, these matters are out of our control, but we’re optimistic about the opportunity to get the engines fired up for the first time in May.”
SEC Officially Cancels Spring Sports Schedule
In light of the NCAA’s decision to cancel winter and spring championships, the SEC has canceled the remainder of their 2019-20 athletic year, including their spring sports slate.
“This is a difficult day for all of us, and I am especially disappointed for our student-athletes,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey in a statement. “The health and well-being of our entire conference community is an ongoing priority for the SEC as we continue to monitor developments and information about the COVID-19 virus.”
USTA Moves Forward With US Open in August
Despite many organizations and leagues aiming at a start or restart in the summer months, the USTA is ardent on continuing with the US Open in New York as scheduled. Other tennis tournaments around the globe that have been postponed include the French Open and an array of WTA matches in