BREAKING: Ryder Cup Expected to be Postponed Until 2021

Rumor has it, the 2020 Ryder Cup, which is currently set to tee off in September, could end up being pushed back another year.

Those rumors are now close to becoming fact, as The Guardian reported this past weekend that an announcement is coming that will push the Ryder Cup back to 2021. While no one has corroborated this story as of yet, no one has denied it either. The official announcement is expected to come next week.

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The event is supposed to be played at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin at the end of September, which may cause some people to wonder why it would need to be pushed back. The issue doesn’t seem to be the ability to put on the event, rather, the problem that the PGA TOUR and European Tour are coming across is that they want to include spectators. And with social distancing guidelines likely staying in place for a few more months, it doesn’t seem possible to play in September with spectators.

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At first glance, playing without spectators may be acceptable to some players and fans but the Ryder Cup is such an exciting event because of the fans cheering on their home team. Taking them away in essence takes away some of the magic of the event. On top of that, many involved with the teams don’t want to play without spectators, namely Rory McIlory and Brooks Koepka. Team captains Steve Stricker and Padraig Harrington have also voiced their desire to play in front of spectators.

The report from The Guardian also noted that pushing back the Ryder Cup to 2021 would have some permanent ramifications. If this truly is the case, the Ryder Cup would then permanently be moved back to “odd” years on the calendar. Ironically, this was the case for years until the terrorist attacks of 9/11 moved the event from 2001 to 2002 so some would see it as a return to the traditional schedule.

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Regardless of what happens with the event, the one positive to hold on to is that the Ryder Cup will take place. And when it does, I’m sure it will be one of the most electric atmospheres golf has ever seen.

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