Ponte Vedre, FL …

In a massive turnaround the PGA Tour has now cancelled the remaining three rounds of the Players Championship along with the Valspar Championship, the WGC – Dell Match-Play Championship and the Valero Texas Open.

It is the first time, and other than weather-related issues, that any event on the PGA Tour has been cancelled since the events of 9/11.

PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan addressed the media at noon on Thursday there would be no fans at the TPC Sawgrass for the final three rounds, or at the next three tournaments on the PGA Tour schedule.

As well, Monahan indicated the Corales Puntacana Championship to be held concurrent with the Match-Play was not being contested.

The tour changed its mind late Thursday issuing the following statement to the players at 9.50pm local time Thursday.

“It is with regret that we are announcing the cancellation of The Players Championship.

“We have also decided to cancel all PGA TOUR events – across all of our Tours – in the coming weeks, through the Valero Texas Open.

“We have pledged from the start to be responsible, thoughtful and transparent with our decision process. We did everything possible to create a safe environment for our players in order to continue the event throughout the weekend, and we were endeavoring to give our fans a much-needed respite from the current climate.  But at this point – and as the situation continues to rapidly change – the right thing to do for our players and our fans is to pause.

“We will be prepared to answer additional questions on Friday at 8 a.m.

“We did everything possible to create a safe environment for our players in order to continue the event through the weekend,” the tour said in a statement. “But at his point — and as the situation continues to rapidly change — the right thing to do for our players and our fans is to pause.”

There was no immediately word whether The Players Championship would be rescheduled.

The Players Championship is the premier tournament run by the PGA Tour, offering a US$15 million purse, the richest in golf history. It was to be followed by the Valspar Championship in the Tampa Bay area, the Dell Match Play in Austin, Texas, and the Valero Texas Open in San Antonio.