SAN DIEGO — Torrey Pines Golf Course has become a potential candidate to host the 2020 U.S. Open men’s tournament if the event is postponed because of fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, according to a report Thursday by Golfweek.
The website said golf’s governing bodies will soon release a revised schedule that would see at least three major championships and the Ryder Cup contested this year.
The U.S. Open is scheduled for June 18-21 at Winged Foot in Mamaroneck, N.Y., just north of New York City.
But, “it is increasingly likely that we will need to postpone” the event, Craig Annis, the USGA’s chief brand officer, told Golfweek.
Linked to the U.S. Open’s second option, the magazine reported, is a decision on the 149th British Open, slated for July 16-19 at Royal St. George’s in England.
Golf Digest reported Wednesday the British Open would be canceled for the first time since 1945, but officials there Thursday denied a decision had been made. According to Golfweek, if the British Open instead is rescheduled to Sept. 17-20, it would fill a calendar spot that otherwise could allow for a rescheduled U.S. Open at Winged Foot.
In that scenario, Torrey Pines and Pebble Beach would be possible alternatives to host the U.S. Open later in the year.
Golfweek reported the USGA has had initial conversations with both venues.
Asked about the report Thursday afternoon, city spokesman Tim Graham said, “To my knowledge, the USGA has not reached out to the City’s Golf Division staff to discuss the possibility of hosting this year’s U.S. Open at Torrey Pines.”
Torrey Pines, the site of the 2008 U.S. Open, has long been in line to host the 2021 U.S. Open.
The event was played last year at Pebble Beach.
“Depending on how far out we might have to go it could mean that we need to find a new location,” the USGA’s Annis said. “If we get beyond September we would need to find a U.S. Open-ready course in a place with the right climate and agronomics, with consideration to available daylight hours. We are fortunate to have a number of USGA host site partners who we are engaging with to determine viability.”
According to Golfweek, the revised schedule would see the PGA Championship, which already has been postponed from its scheduled date in May, played Aug. 6-9 at Harding Park in San Francisco. The Ryder Cup would be Sept. 24-27 at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin, with the Masters moving to the week of Nov. 9.
