The Ryder Cup Officially Postponed Until 2021

It had been widely speculated and predicted for months, but it's now official; the Ryder Cup has been postponed until 2021.

The biennial contest between the United States and Europe - always greatly anticipated on the sporting calendar - had originally been scheduled for 25-27 September, but it will now be pushed back 12 months to 24-26 September 2021 at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin.

The PGA of America, Ryder Cup Europe and the PGA Tour made a joint announcement, confirming that the Presidents Cup (which is overseen by the Tour) would be deferred to 2022, played September 19-25 at Quail Hollow in North Carolina.

Consequently, the Ryder Cup will revert back to odd years, having previously been postponed in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks of 2001, which saw that month's edition at The Belfry rescheduled until 2002.

As it stands, the Solheim Cup - the women's equivalent - will still go ahead several weeks earlier in September 2021 at Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio.

In April, LPGA commissioner Mike Whan stated that no change would impact the Solheim. "Nothing drowns out a Solheim Cup. We wouldn’t change our Solheim Cup if the Ryder Cup changed theirs," he said.

However, for the Ryder Cup's organisers, there was no alternative in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, which raised the prospect of the atmospheric event being held behind closed doors, a possibility that was declared unpalatable by many leading players, including Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka.

“Unlike other major sporting events that are played in existing stadiums, we had to make a decision now about building facilities to host the 2020 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits,” said PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh. “It became clear that as of today, our medical experts and the public authorities in Wisconsin could not give us certainty that conducting an event responsibly with thousands of spectators in September would be possible. Given that uncertainty, we knew rescheduling was the right call. We are grateful to PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan and our partners at the TOUR for their flexibility and generosity in the complex task of shifting the global golf calendar.

“As disappointing as this is, our mandate to do all we can to safeguard public health is what matters most. The spectators who support both the U.S. and European sides are what make the Ryder Cup such a unique and compelling event and playing without them was not a realistic option. We stand united with our partners from Ryder Cup Europe, the NBC Sports Group, Sky and our other broadcast partners around the world. We look forward to delivering the Ryder Cup’s renowned pageantry, emotion and competitive drama to a global audience in 2021.”

Guy Kinnings, Europe’s Ryder Cup Director, said: “The Ryder Cup is rightly celebrated as one of the world’s greatest sporting occasions, made special and totally unique in our sport by the fervent atmosphere created by the passionate spectators of both sides.

“While that point is significant, it is not as important as the health of the spectators which, in these difficult times, is always the main consideration. We considered all options including playing with a limited attendance but all our stakeholders agreed this would dilute the magic of this great occasion.

“We therefore stand beside our partners at the PGA of America in the decision to postpone the Ryder Cup for a year and join with them in extending our thanks to the PGA TOUR for their willingness to move the dates of the Presidents Cup.

“We also thank NBC, Sky and our many broadcast partners around the globe, in addition to the worldwide partners of this great event, whose support and commitment are second to none.”

"While it is disappointing that the Ryder Cup won't be played this year, the decision to reschedule is the right thing to do under the circumstances," said U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Steve Stricker. "At the end of the day, we want to stage a Ryder Cup that will rival all other Ryder Cups in my home state of Wisconsin, and now we have the opportunity to showcase the event as it was meant to be seen."

Padraig Harrington, Captain of the European Ryder Cup Team, said: “Rescheduling the Ryder Cup was never going to be an easy decision given the many factors to take into consideration. But I believe it is the right assessment given the unprecedented circumstances we are facing at this time.

“When you think of the Ryder Cup you think of the distinctive atmosphere generated by the spectators, such as around the first tee at Le Golf National two years ago. If that cannot be responsibly recreated at Whistling Straits in September, then it is correct that we all wait until it can be.

“I know, right now, that September 2021 feels like a long time away. But it will come around quickly and I guarantee that the European players and I will be ready when it does.”

Tickets purchased for the 2020 Ryder Cup will be automatically valid for the corresponding day(s) in 2021.

Now shifted back to odd years, future Ryder Cups will be played on the following dates.

2023/Marco Simone Golf and Country Club (Rome, Italy)

2025/Bethpage Black (Farmingdale, New York)

2027/Adare Manor (County Limerick, Ireland)

2029/Hazeltine National Golf Club (Chaska, Minnesota)

2031/Europe (to be determined)

2033/The Olympic Club (San Francisco)

2035/Europe (to be determined)

2037/Congressional Country Club (Bethesda, Maryland)

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