Tiger Woods drives the ball at the Memorial Tournament in this file photo. The 2020 tournament at Dublin’s Muirfield Village Golf Club has been postponed until July due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Journal-Tribune photo by Kevin Behrens)
Officials of the Memorial Tournament announced today that the 45th edition of the event founded and hosted by Jack Nicklaus has been rescheduled as a result of the ongoing health crisis related to the coronavirus pandemic.
In conjunction with today’s PGA Tour adjusted tournament schedule announcement, the 2020 Memorial Tournament will now be contested the week of July 13-19 at Dublin’s Muirfield Village Golf Club and feature an increased field from 120 to 144 players.
The invitational’s one-time expanded field size allowance will provide additional playing opportunities for touring professionals in light of the TOUR’s reduced schedule.
“This is an unprecedented time in our world, as well as the world of sports,” said Nicklaus. “I can’t emphasize enough the message related to doing your part by social distancing and helping our nation and world by slowing this pandemic. But while we all need to come together and be strong, we also need to be understanding and flexible.
“When the PGA Tour was looking at how and when to revamp the golf calendar, the Memorial Tournament was quick to raise its hand and step up and offer support for a new date. Like all of you, I was saddened to see tournaments and major championships postponed and The Open Championship cancelled for 2020.
“We appreciate the PGA Tour giving the Memorial Tournament the opportunity to fill that void in the schedule with these July dates and to bring golf to Central Ohio. We were also happy to expand our field, as so many players around the world have lost opportunities to make a living. If a gesture so small can help some of them recoup their losses, we are all for it,” he said.
“This has been a couple months we would soon like to forget, but hopefully we can make this a summer to remember.”
Recognizing Governor Mike DeWine’s Ohio Stay at Home order and public gatherings ban guidelines currently in place, the Memorial will proceed with an understanding that its operation may require alterations.
The Memorial Tournament will continue to offer patron badges.
However, the Tournament will also monitor the state’s COVID-19 regulations and will employ changes relative to patron access if needed. If it is determined the Memorial will be staged without patrons, a full refund policy will be implemented.