PGA Tour confirms move of WGC-Mexico to Florida

Due to problems presented by the coronavirus pandemic, the event will be played at The Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Florida. Photo: AFP

Due to problems presented by the coronavirus pandemic, the event will be played at The Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Florida. Photo: AFP

Published Jan 16, 2021

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The PGA Tour's Florida swing grew by a week Friday with the circuit confirming that the 2021 World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship will be moved from Mexico City.

Due to problems presented by the coronavirus pandemic, the Feb. 25-28 eventwill be played at The Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, Fla.

Earlier this week, ESPN and Golfweek reported that the event presenter, Grupo Salinas, stated that a lack of spectators and hospitality functions due to COVID-19 protocols made staging the event in Mexico unfeasible. Non-essentialtravel between the United States and Mexico also is currently restricted because of the pandemic.

Ty Votaw, PGA Tour executive vice president, international, said in a statement, "The PGA Tour is grateful for its continued partnership with Grupo Salinas as we navigate the unique challenges created by the pandemic. While we work toward returning to Mexico in 2022, we are appreciative of the collective effort to bring this event to a worthy venue in The Concession Golf Club,which is renowned as one of the top courses in the state of Florida."

The Concession Golf Club president Bruce Cassidy said in a statement, "This is a monumental opportunity for The Concession to host an event at the level of a World Golf Championships and showcase the unique layout and rich history of this Club to a global audience. With our past experience hosting high-profile events, we believe this course will provide a stern but memorable test of golf to this collection of the very best players in the world."

The WGC-Mexico originally was an international touring event known as theWGC-American Express Championship when it started in 1999. It relocated toMexico City in 2017 when sponsor issues prompted a relocation from Trump Doralin Miami after the 2016 tournament. Patrick Reed won the 2020 event of thetournament at Chapultepec Golf Club.

With the WGC event moving to Florida, the PGA will have a four-week run through the state. The WGC event will be followed by the Arnold Palmer Invitational, March 4-7 in Orlando; the Players Championship, March 11-14 in Ponte Vedra Beach; and the Honda Classic, March 18-21 in Palm Beach Gardens.

The Concession, designed by Jack Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin, opened in 2006.The course played host to the 2015 NCAA men's and women's championships.

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