Days away from hosting the Valspar Championship, tournament officials absorbed the sad news that their event was off for 2020 and braced for the impact it would have on the event and the community.
One by one, players made their way into the clubhouse at TPC Sawgrass on Friday morning. Many arrived dressed in shorts and t-shirts or hoodies and thongs, to pack their bags, uncertain of what lay ahead
As more sports leagues and events began to shut down amid growing coronavirus concerns, it became apparent, however, that the PGA Tour might soon follow suit.
While Augusta National has continued to monitor the situation throughout the health crisis, sources said the latest developments “have put all options on the table” in regards to the Masters.
The tour said that it contemplated cancelling upcoming tournaments but decided that the best decision was to continue playing, adding that the situation remained fluid and was subject to possible change.
Inside the caddie lounge at the Players Championship, across from the dining room, a printed sign on a small folding table blared a warning about the coronavirus.