One of the main golf events, the 2020 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits was officially brought to 2021 between the coronavirus pandemic for health and safety problems and the probability that fans would not have been able to participate in the two-year battle between United States and Europe.
PGA of America, Ryder Cup of Europe and PGA Tour jointly announced Wednesday that the Ryder Cup – originally scheduled for September 22-27, 2020, in Whistling Straits in Wisconsin – will now be held at the same venue on September. 21-26, 2021. Subsequently, the Presidents’ Cup will be hosted as expected at the Quail Hollow Club in North Carolina, but will now be played on 19-25 September 2022.
“Unlike other major sporting events taking place in existing stadiums, we have had to make a decision now about building structures to host the 2020 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits,” said Seth Waugh, CEO of PGA in America. “It became clear that as of today, our medical experts and public authorities in Wisconsin could not give us the certainty that it would be possible to conduct an event responsibly with thousands of spectators in September. Given the uncertainty, we knew that reprogramming was the right choice. …
“As disappointing as it is, our mandate to do everything possible to safeguard public health is what matters most. Spectators who support both the American and European sides are what makes the Ryder Cup such a unique and compelling event. and playing without them was not a realistic option … We can’t wait to offer the Ryder Cup famous show, excitement and competitive drama in 2021. “
The qualifications of the Ryder Cup for both the United States and for the European teams will be revisited with selection processes that could change in view of the 2021 event.
With the Ryder Cup now officially moved to 2021, subsequent Ryder Cups will be played in odd years to maintain a two-year gap between events. The 2023 event will be held at the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome with the Ryder Cup returning to the United States in 2025 at Bethpage Black in New York.
Previously it was speculated that the event could be reproduced in consecutive years so that the European Tour, which makes many of its entries from this event, could remain on a more coherent cycle.
“These two major international team events are relieved of the spirit of the fans. With the uncertainty of the current climate, we fully support the Ryder Cup’s decision to delay a year to ensure that fans can be part of the incredible atmosphere of the Wisconsin and this year’s Presidents Cup delay was the right decision to allow for that option, “said PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan.
Golfers around the world were asked if the Ryder Cup should be played if fans were unable to participate, and they categorically rejected the idea considering that viewers play such an important role in the atmosphere of the event. Many insisted that it would be ridiculous to hold a Ryder Cup in such conditions.
“[It’s] not a Ryder Cup [without fans]. He comes from a European, he goes to America, knowing that I will be abused, “said Rory McIlroy in April.” Of course, it would be better for Europeans to play without fans because we wouldn’t deal with some things you have to endure, but at the same time, it wouldn’t be a great show. There would be no atmosphere. So if I decide if they don’t choose not to play the Ryder Cup without playing it, I would say I would delay it for a year. “
“A fanless Ryder Cup is not a Ryder Cup,” Waugh said later on Wednesday.
The last time the Ryder Cup was hit one year was in 2001, after the attack on the World Trade Center in New York. That Ryder Cup was to be played later in September 2001 at The Belfry, but was instead pushed out for 12 months. In that case, the players and captains who had already been selected for 2001 were retained for 2002. At this point, it is not known how the qualifications will continue for 2021.
