Nina Caldwell
The COVID-19 pandemic and the 2023 global CrowdStrike outage caused significant disruptions to professional golf tournaments and schedules, resulting in cancellations and postponements. Notably, the COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation or postponement of various tournaments on the PGA, European, LPGA, and Symetra Tours. In addition, the 2023 global CrowdStrike outage caused travel disruptions for golfers and caddies, leading to cancelled flights and innovative solutions, such as Wesley Bryan and caddie Lee Chaney's 20-hour road trip to the 3M Open. Weather conditions can also lead to the suspension or delay of tournaments, as seen with the Disc Golf Pro Tour's response to severe weather conditions during the USWDGC in June 2025.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tournaments cancelled due to COVID-19 | Chitimacha Louisiana Open, Lake Charles Championship, Veritex Bank Championship, Huntsville Championship, KC Golf Classic, Visit Knoxville Open, REX Hospital Open, BMW Charity Pro-Am, Live and Work in Maine Open, WGC-Dell Match Play, GolfSixes Cascais, Scandinavian Mixed, BMW International Open, Open de France, Open Championship, D+D Real Czech Masters, Alfred Dunhill Links Championship |
| Tournaments postponed due to COVID-19 | Savannah Golf Championship, Evans Scholars Invitational, Lincoln Land Championship, Magical Kenya Open, Hero Indian Open, Maybank Championship, Andalucia Masters, Made in Denmark, Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, Trophée Hassan II, Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open, Olympic Tournament |
| Tournaments delayed or cancelled due to severe weather | USWDGC |
| Tournaments with travel issues | 3M Open |
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What You'll Learn
Cancelled golf tournaments due to COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted professional golf, leading to the cancellation and postponement of numerous tournaments worldwide. Here is a list of some notable golf tournaments that were cancelled due to the pandemic:
Cancelled Golf Tournaments:
- Chitimacha Louisiana Open (March 19-22)
- Lake Charles Championship (March 26-29)
- Veritex Bank Championship (April 16-19)
- Huntsville Championship (April 23-26)
- WGC-Dell Match Play (March 25-29)
- GolfSixes Cascais (May 9-10)
- Scandinavian Mixed hosted by Henrik and Annika (June 11-14)
- BMW International Open (June 25-28)
- Open de France (July 2-5)
- Open Championship (July 16-19)
- D+D Real Czech Masters (Aug. 20-23)
- Alfred Dunhill Links Championship (Oct. 1-4)
- Honda LPGA Thailand (Feb. 20-23)
- HSBC Women's World Championship (Feb. 27-March 1)
- BMW Charity Pro-Am (June 4-7)
Postponed Tournaments:
In addition to cancellations, many tournaments were postponed and rescheduled for later dates. Some notable postponed tournaments include:
- Magical Kenya Open (originally March 12-15, rescheduled)
- Hero Indian Open (originally March 19-22, rescheduled)
- Savannah Golf Championship (originally April 2-5, rescheduled for Oct. 1-4)
- Evans Scholars Invitational (originally May 21-24, rescheduled for Sept. 10-13)
- Lincoln Land Championship (originally July 16-19, rescheduled for Sept. 3-6)
The pandemic caused significant disruptions to the professional golf calendar, with tournaments being adjusted, rescheduled, or cancelled altogether to ensure the safety of players, staff, and spectators. The PGA Tour was also impacted, with plans to resume play in June 2020, unveiling a modified schedule with no fans in attendance.
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Cancelled flights
Wesley Bryan and his caddie, Lee Chaney, had their flights to Minnesota cancelled and instead decided to make an 18-and-a-half-hour road trip to the 3M Open. Similarly, a group of eight pros, including Chan Kim, also had their flights cancelled and chose to charter a private jet to the tournament.
It is always a good idea to be prepared for flight cancellations. Tools like Google Flights or FlightAware can help you check if your flight is frequently delayed or cancelled before booking. It is also recommended to book the earliest nonstop flight of the day to reduce the chances of delays or cancellations.
If your flight is cancelled, act quickly to rebook by using the airline's app or website, or by calling their customer service line. International flight cancellations can be more complicated, with varying regulations depending on the region. For example, passengers flying to or from Europe may be entitled to compensation of up to $700 if their flight is delayed by more than three hours.
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Technological issues
Technological advancements have had a significant impact on professional golf, and opinions vary on whether these advancements have had a positive or negative effect on the sport.
Some people argue that technology has negatively impacted pro golf by erasing downtime, even during the winter offseason. Technology has also contributed to a shift in the role of professionals like Gabriel, who moved away from teaching and playing to focus more on business administration. The constant use of phones and emails means that golf professionals rarely get a break from responding to members or bosses. This has resulted in a lack of work-life balance, with some professionals working extremely long hours, especially during the summer.
Additionally, advancements in club and ball technology have contributed to the lengthening of golf courses, making them less relatable to amateur golfers. The performance of professionals is now significantly further from that of amateurs compared to previous decades, reducing the relatability of the pros' level of play.
On the other hand, technology has also played a role in the increased viewership of golf tournaments. The availability of streaming services and social media highlights has made it easier for people to consume golf content when they want, rather than being restricted to live TV scheduling.
While technology has undoubtedly played a role in shaping the current state of pro golf, it is important to note that other factors are also at play, including the personalities of players, the ease of courses, and the impact of organizations like LIV on the sport.
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Severe weather
While golf is a sport that is often played in the rain, severe weather can cause professional golf tournaments to be delayed or cancelled. Generally, golf tournaments are only stopped due to weather conditions when they become unplayable or dangerous. For example, if the course becomes too wet, or there is lightning, high winds, or heavy rain, this can cause damage to the integrity of play and pose a risk to players, staff, and spectators.
During severe weather, it is important that everyone follows instructions and moves to designated shelter areas. In some cases, attendees may be directed to their vehicles or a shuttle pick-up location for safety. Event organizers and committees are responsible for deciding when to stop play, and this decision is usually indicated by a horn.
In the case of dangerous weather, play may be stopped immediately, or players may be allowed to finish the hole they are on. If puddles form on greens or fairways, play must typically be postponed until the standing water has cleared. While some courses have excellent drainage systems, heavy rainfall can still saturate the ground and cause flooding, making the course unplayable.
To ensure the safety of everyone involved, it is important to stay aware of weather conditions and follow any instructions given by event staff. Severe weather protocols are in place to respond swiftly and effectively to hazardous conditions, and real-time updates are often provided on social media and official websites.
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State-by-state breakdown of where golf is allowed
As of May 2020, here is a state-by-state breakdown of where golf is allowed and where it is not due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Wyoming: Golf is open for play.
California: Golf courses are closed, but many counties are open for play.
Illinois: Golf courses will open for twosomes (walking only) starting on May 1.
Florida: Miami-Dade County is relaxing its golf ban.
Pennsylvania: Golf courses will reopen after being shut down by Gov. Tom Wolf on March 19.
Washington: Golf will be allowed in twosomes only (foursomes within the same family) beginning on May 5.
Wisconsin: Courses opened on April 24 under social distancing guidelines.
Minnesota: The governor has allowed golf courses to open along with certain other recreational activities.
Nevada: The governor indicated that golf courses could reopen beginning on May 1.
New Jersey: Golf may open on May 2 along with parks and other outdoor activities.
Massachusetts: The only state with a ban on golf being played with no specific timetable for change.
States with bans on golf: California, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, and Vermont.
Several states that initially closed golf courses have begun reopening them with strict social distancing and CDC guidelines in place. This list is subject to change as states continue to update their executive orders and coronavirus restrictions.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, several professional golf tournaments were cancelled or postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Here are some of the cancelled tournaments: Chitimacha Louisiana Open, WGC-Dell Match Play, Honda LPGA Thailand, and BMW Charity Pro-Am.
Yes, the Disc Golf Pro Tour (DGPT) may delay or suspend events due to severe weather conditions. This is done to ensure the safety of players, staff, spectators, and vendors.
In some cases, pro golfers may have to find alternative means of transportation if their flights are cancelled. For example, Wesley Bryan and caddie Lee Chaney made a 20-hour road trip to the 3M Open after their flight was cancelled.
