Players are responding to the crisis and what it means for them going forward, following the cancellation of the next five weeks of tournaments on all of the PGA Tours and tournaments in other parts of the world.
US PGA Tour regular, Kiwi Danny Lee posted the cancellation statement from the PGA Tour on his Instagram and said;
“I think this is best decision for players and Spectators and Volunteers for Circumstances we have right now. I respect @pgatour decision. Everyone stay safe out there hope to see everyone soon! Thank you.”
As players were leaving hotels in Florida, World Number One Rory McIlroy was asked if it was the right decision.
“It’s the right decision,” McIlroy said.
“A hundred percent. If in a few weeks’ time this dies down and everything is okay, it’s still the right decision.
“Whenever the powers that be say it’s safe to do so,” McIlroy said of a return date.
“All you can do is follow the guidelines from the CDC and from the people that really know about this thing.”
Jon Rahm, who originally was on board to keep playing, said he realized the cautionary action was the right move as he read and heard more about the virus.
“There’s bigger problem on our hands. People are getting affected; people are having problems. Like I’ve said many times, I’m pretty scared because there’s quite a bit of people in my family with asthma, and my 85-year-old grandma being one of them, which is a direct target,” he said.
“And there’s nothing I can do because I can’t go home, I can’t come back. All we can all try to do is resume our lives as normal and try to be as clean as possible, wash our hands. I’ve been up since early in the morning, and I can’t believe how many times I’ve washed my hands already and I haven’t left my room. I’m just trying to be clean and do our part as citizens to improve this.”
World Number 4 Justin Thomas said he was fully supportive of the decision.
“The safety of everybody involved in @pgatour events is the first priority,” Thomas said on Instagram.
“I am behind commissioner Monahan and know this is the right decision for everybody’s best interest. Have to look at the big picture, and that’s what’s being done here. Selfishly, I’ll miss playing competitive golf for a bit! With that being said, everybody stay safe and healthy!”
Bryson DeChambeau was very disappointed in what has happened.
“Gutted about the news but understand and respect the @pgatour’s decision,” DeChambeau said on Instagram.
“This is never easy. We have also decided to postpone my charity event scheduled for Monday, but we felt it was the right call given health is one of the @brysondfoundation pillars. I respect the importance of protocols and wish everyone safety as the Coronavirus continues to spread.”
