PGA Tour Says in Memo Play Could Resume 'With or Without Fans' amid COVID-19

The PGA Tour sent a memo to golfers Thursday stating it's evaluating "options that allow us to preserve the maximum number of events" and it's unsure whether that means resuming the schedule "with or without fans."

Rex Hoggard of the Golf Channel obtained the memo, which was sent ahead of a meeting between the Tour and the players' advisory council Tuesday about the COVID-19 situation.

"We understand many of you may be impacted by travel restrictions and/or the inability to practice in your area, thus we want to be able to give you as much time as possible to allow you to come back fully prepared," the memo read, adding the plan calls for a three- to four-week prep period before the restart.

The PGA Tour season has been on hold since the Players Championship was halted March 12 after one round because of the coronavirus pandemic.

So far, all tournaments through the AT&T Byron Nelson have been canceled. The next potential tournament would be the Charles Schwab Challenge, which is scheduled for May 21-24 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Tour officials said in Thursday's memo meeting that timeline is "not likely," though.

Eamon Lynch of Golfweek reported PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan has opted to forgo his salary indefinitely while play is suspended.

Meanwhile, the major championships, which are hosted by separate organizations, have all been forced to adjust because of the pandemic.

The latest schedule shows the U.S. Open (June 15-21), PGA Championship (Aug. 3-9) and the Masters (Nov. 9-15) still planning events in 2020. The Open Championship has been canceled.

Some smaller golf tours have opted to continue playing amid COVID-19 social-distancing measures.