The decision falls in line with the USGA holding the US Open at Winged Foot in September with no spectators. Additionally, the LPGA has yet to play any event where fans have been permitted since resuming its schedule on July 31.
Only once the R&A decided to cancel the Open Championship, freeing up the September window for the USGA to hold the US Open, did it give Winged Foot a chance at remaining the host venue.
Lest you think this is a media-driven story or a narrative that will shadow the championship in perpetuity, know it’s one both sides – players and management – acknowledge.
The USGA announced overnight its one-time exemption categories for the 120th US Open, with the one-day, 36-hole marathon sectional qualifiers having been replaced by season standings, world-ranking positions and good old-fashioned results.
The feeling going into the week was that if the USGA couldn’t get Pebble Beach right, perhaps it shouldn’t even bother showing up at Winged Foot next year.
Australian Golf Digest
