The European Tour has surprised no-one despite the disappointing news the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open has been postponed due to the continuing threat posed by the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The tournament was scheduled to be the European Tour’s second Rolex Series event of 2020, taking place at Mount Juliet Estate from May 28-31, with Major Champion Graeme McDowell as host.

McDowell said: “As important as the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open is to all of us, everyone’s health is our only concern. My thoughts are with everyone affected by the crisis and I hope everyone keeps safe and well during these difficult times.”

The golfing calendar has already been severely disrupted by the COVID-19 outbreak, with the first two majors of the year postponed, as well as the Olympic Games, while the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play was cancelled.

Keith Pelley, European Tour Chief Executive, said: “The decision to postpone the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open follows consultation with all stakeholders and was made with public health and well-being as our absolute priority. Our thoughts are with everyone right now and we are all united in trying to fight the spread of the pandemic.

“With this in mind, we will continue to evaluate all aspects of our 2020 European Tour schedule, and discussions on the rescheduling of postponed events will remain ongoing until we have clarity on the global situation.”

Colm McLoughlin, Executive Vice Chairman & CEO, Dubai Duty Free, said: “We fully support the European Tour in their decision to postpone the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open. The most important thing right now is the health and safety of all the players, the spectators, the sponsors and organisers, so it’s the right decision.”

The Irish Open postponement now makes it 12 European Tour ‘Race to Dubai’ event to be either postponed or cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Magical Kenya Open (March 12-15), Hero Indian Open (March 19-22), Maybank Championship (April 16-19), Volvo China Open (April 23-26), Estrella Damm N.A Andalucia Masters (April 30-May 3) and the Made In Denmark (May 21-24) are the other regular events to be postponed, while the GolfSixes (May 9-10) and the D+D Real Czech Masters (August 20-23) have been cancelled.

However, the D + D Czech Masters was cancelled well before the Coronavirus fears and due to financial reasons.