On Friday morning, Augusta National Golf Club announced that the 2020 Masters will be rescheduled, along with the Augusta National Women's Amateur and the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals, the other springtime tournaments the club hosts.
The Masters was set to be played April 9-12, 2020. Per a statement delivered by Augusta National Golf Club chairman Fred Ridley, the tournament (plus the two others mentioned) is intended to be played "at some later date."
The announcement comes the morning after the PGA Tour decided to cancel the remaining three rounds of Players Championship after holding Thursday's first round. Tour commissioner Jay Monahan also announced the cancellation of the Valspar Championship, World Golf Championships-Dell Match Play and the Valero Texas Open, amid growing concerns about the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic spreading across the United States and much of the wider world.
Statement from Chairman Ridley:
— The Masters (@TheMasters) March 13, 2020
"Considering the latest information and expert analysis, we have decided at this time to postpone @TheMasters, @anwagolf and @DriveChipPutt National Finals."
Full details at https://t.co/FX2AN1MLsY pic.twitter.com/Z2DjS5TYdG
Here is Ridley's statement in full, as shared on Golf Channel:
"On Wednesday, March 4, we issued a memo stating that our plans to host the Masters Tournament, the Augusta National Women's Amateur and the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals had not changd. Unfortunately, the ever-increasing risks associated with the widespread Coronavirus have led us to a decision that undoubtedly will be disappointing to many, although I am confident is appropriate under these unique circumstances.
"Considering the latest information and expert analysis, we have decided at this time to postpone the Masters Tournament, the Augusta National Women's Amateur and the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals.
"Ultimately, the health and well-being of everyone associated with these events and the citizens of the Augusta community led us to this decision. We hope this postponement puts us in the best position to safely host the Masters Tournament and our amateur events at some later date."
Updates and further information regarding this news are expected to be posted at Masters.com.
Of all people to be politically correct, I did not expect the Masters
folks to cave to this stuff. Are you going to cancel next year
when the regular flu breaks out, or if someone sneezes. JESUS,
take the wheel! Golf is played out doors, let people play or attend
on there on choice. Enough is enough!