European Tour cancels events

The European Tour today confirmed the cancellation of the BMW International Open and the Open de France and the postponement of the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open, a Rolex Series event, due to the continuing threat posed by the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). At the same time, the PGA Tour announced its plans to resume the 2019-20 season with the Charles Schwab Challenge between 11th and 14th June.

The BMW International Open, which has been played every year since 1989, was due to take place from June 25-28 at Golfclub Munchen Eichenried, in Munich, Germany. The Open de France, continental Europe’s oldest national Open, was scheduled to take place a week later, July 2-5, at Le Golf National, near Paris. It has been cancelled following the French government’s decision to cancel all mass public gatherings and events until mid-July.

Meanwhile, the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open, one of eight Rolex Series events announced at the start of the 2020 season, was scheduled to return to The Renaissance Club in North Berwick from July 9-12. Discussions are ongoing to reschedule the tournament.

Keith Pelley, European Tour Chief Executive, said: “The decision to cancel the BMW International Open, which has been a cornerstone of the European Tour calendar for three decades, and the Open de France, one of our most historic national Opens was made in consultation with our long-term partner BMW and the French Golf Federation respectively with public health and well-being the absolute priority for all of us.

“Both Germany and France have been significantly impacted by Coronavirus, and our thoughts go out to everyone affected in both countries, as well as elsewhere around the world.

“In consultation with Aberdeen Standard Investments, VisitScotland and Rolex, we have also decided to postpone the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open, which is part of our prestigious Rolex Series. Discussions about the possibility of rescheduling this event will continue as we look at a variety of different scenarios for our schedule for when it is safe and permitted to resume playing. We will only announce details of these plans when we have clarity on the global situation.”

The move by the PGA Tour was expected but some might feel still somewhat ambitious. The first four events are to be closed to the general public but the Tour will continue to monitor the situation and follow the recommendations of local and state authorities.

The revised PGA Tour calendar is as follows:

8-14 June: Charles Schwab Challenge, Colonial Country Club, Fort Worth, Texas

15-21 June: RBC Heritage, Harbour Town Golf Links, Hilton Head, South Carolina

22-28 June: Travelers Championship, TPC River Highlands, Cromwell, Connecticut

2-5 July: Rocket Mortgage Classic, Detroit Golf Club, Detroit, Michigan

6-12 July: John Deere Classic, TPC Deere Run, Silvis, Illinois

13-19 July: the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide, Muirfield Village Golf Club, Dublin, Ohio

20-26 July: 3M Open, TPC Twin Cities, Blaine, Minnesota

27 July - 2 August: World Golf Championships-FedEx St. Jude Invitational, TPC Southwind, Memphis, Tennessee

27 July - 2 August: Barracuda Championship, Tahoe Mountain Club (Old Greenwood), Truckee, California

3-9 August: PGA Championship, TPC Harding Park, San Francisco, California

10-16 August: Wyndham Championship, Sedgefield Country Club, Greensboro, North Carolina

17-23 August: THE NORTHERN TRUST, TPC Boston, Norton, Massachusetts

24-30 August: BMW Championship, Olympia Fields Country Club (North), Olympia Fields, Illinois

31 August - 7 September: TOUR Championship, East Lake Golf Club, Atlanta, Georgia