Memorial rescheduled for July

COLUMBUS – The 45th edition of the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide has been rescheduled as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and officials say they are prepared to hold it without fans in attendance.

Under the revamped PGA Tour schedule announced Thursday, Memorial Tournament officials say the tournament will now be held the week of July 13-19 at Muirfield Village Golf Club and feature an increased field from 120 to 144 players to provide additional playing opportunities for golfers in light of the cancellations of the Masters and the British Open.

The Memorial is being scheduled as a replacement for the Open Championship, which was canceled by the Royal and Ancient.

“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…This has been a couple months we would soon like to forget, but hopefully we can make this a summer to remember.” – statement from tournament founder and host Jack Nicklaus

In light of a stay-at-home order and ban on public gatherings still in effect, tournament officials say they are prepared to go ahead with an understanding that staging the event may require some changes.

“Although many unknowns remain, we are hopeful the next few months provide an opportunity for everyone to return to a level of normalcy and central Ohioans will be able to publicly come together,” executive director Dan Sullivan said.

Patron badges will be sold as usual, but tournament officials will also monitor the state’s regulations concerning COVID-19 and are prepared to hold the tournament without patrons, in which case badge holders will be eligible for a full refund.