Although the USGA have yet to officially confirm the seemingly inevitable, it’s almost guaranteed that the men’s U.S. Open Championship scheduled for Winged Foot Golf Club in June will become the third men’s major championship of 2020 to be postponed or delayed.
With the PGA Championship and Masters Tournament having already announced postponements, the New York Times has reported the Open to be staged in Mamaroneck in New York will be delayed due the rampant COVID-19 outbreak across the globe, let alone in the New York area in recent weeks.
The winner of the last Open staged at WInged Foot in 2006, Geoff Ogilvy (pictured), also indicated as much on his Instagram account this week as he came to terms with the fact that his bid to qualify for and ‘defend’ a Winged Foot Open will rightfully take a backseat to the pandemic.
“Very sad as (the Open) hasn’t been at this awesome venue since 2006. I look forward to playing there whenever we can.” Ogilvy posted.
Two weeks ago, the USGA had indicated they were holding on to the dates of both the men’s and women’s championships in June, pending appropriate advice from various authorities, although local qualifying events for each championship were cancelled.
In a statement, the USGA said: “We will continue to hold the dates for the 2020 U.S. Women’s Open at Champions Golf Club and the 2020 U.S. Open at Winged Foot Golf Club.”
“At this time, it is premature to speculate what might occur with other 2020 USGA championships. We will continue to monitor all available guidance and regulations from the CDC, WHO and other federal, state and local authorities to do what is in the best interests of our community.”
It seems highly likely now as events have continued to escalate in the U.S. that the USGA will effectively have the decision taken out of their hands for the time being.
#staysafe
