One tiny bonus of crisis is I get to keep this for 12 more months
Lowry gutted at Open KO but ready to retain famous trophy next year
SHANE LOWRY insists the Claret Jug will be in safe hands for an extra 12 months.
The Irishman is gutted he can’t defend the title he won at Royal Portrush after this year’s Open at Royal St George’s was binned due to coronavirus.
But Lowry does get one massive bonus. The 33-year-old now has the opportunity to keep golf ’s greatest piece of silverware for an additional lap of the calendar before putting it on the line in July 2021.
Lowry said: “You can trust me that the Claret Jug is going to be in safe hands for another year.
“Obviously I’m very sad and disappointed the R&A had to cancel this year’s Open Championship. At the end of the day people’s health and safety comes way before any golf tournament.
“I’m sure the R&A have thought long and hard about this and made a decision based on health and safety and I look forward to seeing everyone at Royal St George’s in 2021.”
Martin Slumbers, chief executive of the R&A, said: “We care deeply about this historic Championship and made this decision with a heavy heart.
“We appreciate this will be disappointing for a great many people but we have to act responsibly during this pandemic and it is the right thing to do.
“I can assure everyone that we explored every option for playing The Open this year but it is not possible. At a difficult time like this we have to recognise sport must stand aside to let people focus on keeping themselves and their families healthy and safe.”
However, golf chiefs united to offer hope that the game’s other huge events of 2020 can survive. Within minutes of the R&A announcement, they joined Augusta National, the European Tour, LPGA, PGA of America, PGA TOUR and USGA in formulating a thrilling late-season schedule to save the remaining three Majors and the Ryder Cup.
The PGA of America remain confident the match between Padraig Harrington’s European side and the Jim Furyk-led USA will go ahead at Whistling Straits on September 25-27 and have slotted the US Open at Winged Foot in New York into the week prior.
The US PGA will be held on August 6-9 at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco, while The Masters moves from its traditional April slot into November 12-15.
Augusta chairman Fred Ridley said: “Following collaboration with the leading organisations in golf, Augusta National has identified intended dates to host the 2020 Masters.
“We want to emphasise that our future plans are incumbent upon favourable counsel and direction from health officials.
“While more details will be shared in the weeks and months to come, we will continue to focus on all mandated precautions and guidelines to fight against the coronavirus.
“Along the way, we hope the anticipation of staging the Masters Tournament in the fall brings a moment of joy to the Augusta community and all those who love the sport.”
The PGA of America also remains adamant the Ryder Cup won’t be affected by the coronavirus pandemic as a statement read: “We will continue to follow the guidance of public health officials but are hopeful it will be safe and responsible to conduct the PGA Championship in August and the Ryder Cup as planned in Kohler, Wisconsin.
“With our country going through extremely difficult times, it will be an honour for all of us at the PGA of America to hopefully help turn a page in August with the PGA Championship and September with the Ryder Cup.”
European Ryder Cup winner Tommy Fleetwood finished runner-up to Lowry at Portrush and was hoping to go one better at Sandwich. But he has made it clear that health and safety is the priority.
Fleetwood said: “It’s sad I guess but these are unprecedented times and just very difficult times. None of us have ever experienced anything like this before.
“It’s tough news. It’s The Open and for a lot of people it’s the best event of the year. “It’s the main part of our summer but it must have been an unbelievably tough call to make and the good news is we are still going to have the 149th Open. It’s not like we won’t play it. “Clearly this is for the best and you take things as they come at the moment.”