NEW YORK - The US Open scheduled to be played at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York from September 17- 20 will be held without spectators due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the U.S. Golf Association (USGA) said on Wednesday.
The U.S. Open is the second major that will not have spectators after organisers confirmed last month that next week's PGA Championship in San Francisco, California would go ahead without fans.
Both majors were scheduled to be held in May and June before the pandemic forced the tournaments to be rescheduled.
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"Following months of consultation and scenario planning with local and state health officials, we have jointly decided that hosting the US Open without spectators will provide the best opportunity to conduct the championship safely for all involved," USGA CEO Mike Davis said in a statement.
"We will miss the excitement of the fans and what their presence brings to the championship. We look forward to welcoming them again to future U.S. Opens."
Due to ongoing health and safety concerns from the COVID-19 pandemic and in consultation with the state of New York, the USGA will conduct the 120th U.S. Open Championship on Sept. 14-20 at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y., without on-site spectators.
— USGA (@USGA) July 29, 2020
The United States leads the world with over 4.3 million confirmed cases and nearly 150,000 deaths due to the novel coronavirus, according to a Reuters tally.
Westchester County, where Winged Foot Golf Club is located, has recorded nearly 36,000 cases and over 1,400 deaths.
The PGA Tour said this month that it would play the rest of its season without fans.
Reuters