What Happens to PGA TOUR Players Who Miss The Cut in a Post-Lockdown World?

In a post-lockdown world PGA TOUR players who miss the cut will be faced with a choice: Wait around for Monday’s private charter, or risk traveling with the public on your own.

During a typical PGA TOUR schedule, players that are done playing after Friday are given the freedom to stick around or to return home. But with the COVID-19 situation still in the forefront of everyone’s minds, that could be changing. According to Kevin Kisner, who sits on the Player Advisory Council, those players who miss the cut on Friday will likely be encouraged to stick around for the weekend.

While he said that there will be no specific restrictions forcing players to stick around, it’s likely to be a popular choice among players. Social distancing remains a major concern for players and the PGA TOUR has already taken steps to keep their players safe by having a charter that will fly players and caddies from tournament to tournament, limiting exposure to the public.

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Because of the introduction of the shuttle, Kisner believes a lot more players will stick stay in town until the private charger leaves on Monday, even if they miss the cut. “I’m sure you’ll be able to have access to continue to practice at the host site through the weekend,” Kisner said on The Golf Channel.

“Guys miss cuts all the time and now with the coronavirus, everybody wants to know make sure how we handle it but guys are used to being able to handle that. I think they’ll stick around and stay until Monday.” – Kevin Kisner

One of the other major topics that Kisner tackled in the interview was the idea that the PGA TOUR is returning to action too soon. We have already seen players like Adam Scott and Lee Westwood say they won’t return to the U.S. for events until at least July but Kisner has been singing a different tune. He admitted he was concerned with the safety aspect of returning in June but that the PGA TOUR has quelled his and many others’ concerns to where they feel comfortable heading to the tee box.

Heading into the return of the PGA TOUR, it’s nice to see that so much work is being done to ensure the safety of everyone involved. And seeing Kisner’s blessing provides a nice assurance that things will go smoothly once the schedule hits full tilt.

Cover photo by yousef alfuhigi