Former Open Champion Paul Lawrie says he would be ‘surprised’ if the 149th Open Championship is not postponed to later in the year.

Two of the four Majors of 2020 have alread been postponed to laster this year and with the U.S. Open almost certain to be the next to be put back to later in 2020.

The R & A, as organised of The Open, has been in constant discussion with the host Royal St. George’s course in Kent, but it’s a UK Government ruling that will decide if golf’s oldest major goes ahead as scheduled from 16th to 19th July.

Lawrie captured the 1999 Open Championship at Carnoustie and the Aberdeen Standard Investments ambassador was asked his thoughts earlier today in a phone conference.

“Thankfully, I’m not in a position where I have to make that decision or any decision of any note on that,” said Lawrie.

“All I wuld say is that fans are a massive part of sport. They always have been and always will be. You take that away from it and it doesn’t make it what it is.

“The Open is one of the biggest sporting events of the year. It’s entirely an R&A decision.

“I’d be surprised if they were going to be allowed to play in it July anyway, but who knows what will happen. It might change quickly.

“But just from a players’ point of view, it is always great when you play in events with a lot of people cheering you on or cheering other players you are playing alongside, it’s a huge part of sport.

“Whatever they decide to do, I’m a player and will do what is decided to do. I don’t have any big opinion, to be honest.”