PGA Championship Postponed, Masters Targeting October Rescheduling

Posted on: March 18, 2020, 06:02h. 

Last updated on: March 18, 2020, 11:13h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
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The PGA Championship scheduled for May 14-17 in San Francisco at TPC Harding Park has been postponed because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It’s the second golf major to be pushed back as a result of the coronavirus.

PGA Championship golf odds
The Masters and PGA Championship, set to be the first two majors of the year, have both been postponed. (Image: Josh Sens/Golf.com)

California has been one of the hardest hit states by the deadly respiratory disease, with the state Department of Health confirming 472 current cases. San Francisco County is seeing a rapid spread of the coronavirus, prompting Mayor London Breed to prohibit city residents from leaving their homes except to visit a doctor or purchase groceries/medicine until at least April 7.

Throughout our evaluation process, we have been committed to following the guidance of public health authorities, and given the coronavirus shelter-in-place order in effect in San Francisco, postponement is the best decision for all involved,” said PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh.

World No. 1 Rory McIlroy, the 2012 and 2014 PGA Championship winner, was the betting favorite at 10/1. McIlroy won the WGC-Cadillac Match Play Championship in 2015 when it was contested at Harding Park.

Jon Rahm was at 12/1, and two-time defending PGA champ Brooks Koepka at 14/1. Justin Thomas and Dustin Johnson shared that 14/1 line.

“There are a lot more important things in life than a golf tournament right now,” tweeted Tiger Woods this week. “We need to be safe, smart, and do what is best for ourselves, our loved ones, and our community.”

Golf Shutdown

Though the game is played on courses that typically span several hundred acres, the PGA Tour is following other professional sports organizations around the world and canceling or postponing events. Commissioner Jay Monahan announced yesterday that four additional events are being canceled: RBC Heritage (April 13-19), Zurich Classic of New Orleans (April 20-26), Wells Fargo Championship (April 27-May 3), and AT&T Byron Nelson (May 4-10).

The USGA said the 2020 US Open at Winged Foot Golf Club remains on schedule for June 18-21. But that could change, as golf officials continue to monitor the developing pandemic.

Cancellations and postponements have been made across all tours the PGA Tour oversees. It appears it will be at least a couple of months before golf bettors will have lines to wager.

Masters Rumors

The Masters, golf’s first major of the year, likely won’t be held in 2020. Augusta National announced last week that the tournament planned for the second week in April has been postponed.

McIlroy was the favorite to win the green jacket (10/1) and cap off the career grand slam. His chance to do so might come in October.

LPGA Tour player Marina Alex said on social media this week that the Home2 Suites by Hilton in Augusta, Georgia, canceled her planned reservation for Wednesday, October 6, through Thursday, October 8.

“Actually @Home2Suites, I didn’t cancel my room, YOU did! This is ridiculous! Your reason was honoring ‘already existing’ reservations. So obviously you know the date for @TheMasters is October 5-12 and are price gouging for a better rate,” Alex tweeted.