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Coronavirus to delay start of PGA Tour Series-China season

February 12, 2020
PGA Tour Series China - Zhuzhou Classic

VCG

The PGA Tour Series-China announced on Wednesday it is postponing its qualifying tournaments and delaying the start of its season due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The move is not a surprise, as the Tour announced last week it had moved its global qualifying event because of the crisis. The 2020 campaign was scheduled to begin on March 26 in Sanya, China. However, as the disease continues to spread—CNN reported Wednesday morning that infections have surpassed 45,000 and more than 1,100 have died—the possibility of a delayed or moved start existed.

“We watched and scrutinized the situation closely, and we did not make this decision lightly. After consultation with a variety of agencies, we determined postponement of the Qualifying Tournaments and the start of the regular season are the best courses of action at this time,” said Greg Carlson, PGA Tour Series-China Executive Director. “This is a major international health issue, and we will do everything possible to ensure the safety and well-being of our players and everybody else associated with these two tournaments."

The first four events of the China Series are affected in the decision, with the Tour aiming to play two qualifying tournaments in late April or early May. The hope is to play a 10-tournament schedule beginning in late May, which will still include Korn Ferry Tour promotion to the top-performing players.

“The health and well-being of our players, staff, fans and all who are associated with PGA TOUR Series-China tournaments is of the utmost importance to us," Carlson said. "We will continue to monitor what’s happening in China and how it might affect the start of our regular season.”

Earlier this week the R&A postponed the Women's Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship, scheduled for Feb. 12-15 at Siam Country Club in Pattaya, Thailand. The European Tour has not announced if it will postpone or cancel its Volvo China Open, scheduled to be played in April.