The PGA Tour and the Memorial Tournament scrapped state-approved plans to have limited spectators next week because of what it described as rapidly changing dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The event, hosted by Jack Nicklaus at his Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, was in line to be the first tournament with spectators since the PGA Tour returned to competition June 11 with the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas – after a three-month shutdown due to the pandemic.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, last month approved a plan that would allow the Memorial to have 20% capacity on course property, which would include fans, private hospitality areas and essential staff to run the tournament.
“But given the broader challenges communities are facing due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we need to stay focused on the No. 1 priority for our ‘Return to Golf’ – the health and safety of all involved,” PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said in a statement released Monday.
The absence of spectators also means the tournament will not have a pro-am tourney.