Robert MacIntyre’s place in the rescheduled 2021 Open Championship has been confirmed in bizarren manner via a leaked PGA Tour memo.
The R & A had not indicated in their recent statement to cancel the staging of the 2020 Open if those, like MacIntyre who was exempt for Royal St. George’s, would remain also exempt for the hosting of golf’s oldest major on the Kent course in 2021.
However, the PGA Tour memo stated ‘all players who had secured a spot in the field for the Open Championship as of April 6, 2020, will remain eligible for the rescheduled 2021 tournament at Royal St. George’s’.
It good news for the young Scot who brilliantly grabbed his place into a second straight Open by virtue a super share of sixth on debut last July at Royal Portrush.
Though this news is tempered by the fact MacIntyre will have to wait two years to compete in an Open.
The PGA Tour also informed their players it is hoping, and if COVID-19 fears ease, in returning to competition on May 21st for the opening round at the Charles Schwab Challenge at Fort Worth, Texas.
Though the Tour indicated: “to preserve the maximum number of events we can while giving us more time as the crisis evolves.”
Though the Florida-based body stated also that ‘we will continue to lean on guidance from health and government officials when coming to its decision about when to resume play’.
Once a final decision on a re-start date is made, the Tour stated also it will give its players the courtesy of a few week’s notice before any such move.
“At a minimum, it is our hope to give the membership at least three to four weeks’ notice before restarting the season,” the memo said.
“We understand many of you may be impacted by travel restrictions and/or the inability to practice in your area, thus we want to be able to give you as much time as possible to allow you to come back fully prepared.”
Earlier today (Good Friday), the Tour also held a conference call with members of its player board, and next Tuesday members of the Player Advisory Council will join a conference call to discuss the schedule and the impact on player eligibility.
That includes such matters as playing a minimum of 15 events to maintain membership and field sizes.
