Ponte Vedre, FL..

As World No. 1 Rory McIlroy rightly hightlighted, it was an ‘eerie’ morning driving up to the TPC Sawgrass clubhouse to clean out his locker on a gorgeous cloudless Friday morning in mid-March.

The decision by the PGA to cancel not only the Players Championship but also the ensuing four events up to the week prior to Augusta National was expected but when confirmed it left all and sundry in a state of ‘where do we go next’.

Martin Laird and Russell Knox joined McIlroy and all other 140 competitors in making their way earlier today to the clubhouse.

Then as they were arriving we had the decision by Augusta National to postpone the 84th Masters.

Many of those who were due out early on day two of the $US 15m event has been in bed early the night prior including Laird who was due to head out on day two at three-under par and just outside the top-20.

The Scottish duo of Russel Knox and Martin Laird 100% behind Tour’s decision to cancel events due to coronavirus fears (Photo – @tourmiss)

Then near 10am (local time FRD) word came through Augusta had postponed the Masters to a date to be advised.

Laird said: “There was a word the Tour kept saying that is was ‘fluid’ situation and it was.

“I don’t think anyone knows what can be the scale of this virus and if that’s the case you have to go on the side of caution.

“It only takes one person out here to catch the virus and even though we were to be playing with no spectators but there will be all those in the TV compound still working  along with all the media so the players are probably the lowest risk as we are out on the golf course.

“It was tough decision to make.  It was a big call and the Tour really could not be seen to still competing when every other sporting body is shutting down.

“So, the Tour’s gone onto the side of caution because all it was going to take was one player, one caddie or even one media person and the Tour would be shut down anyway.”

Knox lives locally in Ponte Vedre and he’s also not surprised by the Tour’s move and the Masters decision.

Knox said: “I was in bed last night but I was woken-up about midnight with text about 10 text messages coming in and saying to myself ‘wait a minute, what’s going on here?’

“In reading the statement I’m 100% behind the Tour’s decision and everyone out here agrees with Jay (Monahan – Commissioner) and while they were kind of forced into it, ultimately it was the right decision.

“It’s sad for us and we would all like to play but the bigger picture is more important.

“Clearly, the Augusta decision did not affect me as I have not qualified but then you only have to win one of these next four and you’re headed to the Masters but then also as a golf fan, I would still be watching.

“Hopefully, we can get a real grasp this pandemic and the whole world can get back to normal.”

The Tour indicated that all the 143 players who were set to head into day two will be paid $42,000 each from the $US 15m prize purse.