Ryder Cup Postponed Until 2021

This year's Ryder Cup will not hold as it would annually September following the postponement of the tournament until next year. 

Rory McIlroy and likewise other golfers have called for the rescheduling of the tournament based on the reasons that playing the Ryder Cup without spectators would not be realistic being one of the biggest sporting events in the world. However, the decision to hold the event in closed doors was due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Guy Kinnings, European Ryder Cup director, explained the reasons for the rescheduling of date until 2021 citing the health issues that spectators stand to face at the tournament. Since spectators attendance is one the beauty of the tournament, having them around in these difficult times of the Covid-19 pandemic, and stakeholders agreed to postpone the event. 

"The Ryder Cup is rightly celebrated as one of the world's greatest sporting occasions, made special and totally unique in our sport by the fervent atmosphere created by the passionate spectators of both sides," said Kinnings. 

He added, "We considered all options including playing with a limited attendance but all our stakeholders agreed this would dilute the magic of this great occasion."

The occasion which was meant to hold on September 22-27 at Whistling Straits in Kohler, in the United States will have a consequential impact on other Ryder Cup dates causing their date to change as well. For instance, the 44th event in Italy will now be moved to 2023. This is the first time in 19 years that the tournament will be postponed - in 2001, the date was changed over the 911 attack incident in New York. 

Steve Stricker, U.S. Ryder Cup captain was quoted on the tournament official website as saying, "While it is disappointing that the Ryder Cup won't be played this year, the decision to reschedule is the right thing to under the circumstances."

He added, "At the end of the day, we want to stage a Ryder Cup that will rival all other Ryder Cups in my home of Wisconsin, and now we have the opportunity to showcase the event as it was meant to be seen."