Joining the ever-expanding list of postponed sporting events is the most prestigious event in golf.
Augusta National announced Friday the postponement of The Masters, which was scheduled to run from April 9-12, with no replacement date yet announced. The tournament had been played as scheduled since 1946, the first year after a three-year hiatus due to World War II.
The postponement of the Masters comes one day after the complete cancellation of the NCAA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments (and all NCAA winter and spring championships).
It also comes one day after the PGA Tour staged the first round of the Players Championship in front of spectators, with the intention of continuing the tournament in front of essential personnel over the next three days. Plans changed late Thursday night, with the cancellation of the remaining rounds and the subsequent three tournaments — Tampa Bay, Match Play and the Texas Open.
The sports world has been devastated by precautionary measures to reduce the spread of coronavirus COVID-19. In addition to golf and the NCAA, the NBA, NHL, MLB and MLS seasons have been suspended. The only sports leagues not yet shutting down over the virus are NASCAR and IndyCar, which are set to run their races in front of empty seats this weekend.
[News from ESPN.com 3.13]
