PGA Tour's Memorial Tournament Can Have Fans in Attendance, Ohio Gov. Announces

Fans will be able to attend the PGA Tour's Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio, next month, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced Friday.

According to Jeremy Pelzer of Cleveland.com, DeWine said the PGA will have to "dramatically reduce" the number of patrons while increasing sanitation protocols in order to stay compliant with local ordinances.

The tournament tees off July 16 and runs through July 19 at Muirfield Village Golf Club.

DeWine said additional details are forthcoming.

The field for the tournament has yet to be finalized. Players have until the Friday of the week before the tournament to commit to playing.

"We are grateful the governor, lieutenant governor and their staffs reviewed our activation plan and approved our ability to host patrons," tournament director Dan Sullivan told Rob Oller of the Columbus Dispatch. "We will be delivering detail on the plan and the events of tournament week in the coming days."

Part of that plan, per Sullivan, is using tracking chips in badges worn by fans on the course to make sure there is no overcrowding during the event.

Though DeWine has given the green light for the Memorial Tournament, no other golf events have been cleared to allow fans to return to the stands.

The PGA will conduct a separate tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club a week before the Memorial at which no spectators will be allowed.

Per Pelzer, Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said other tournaments in Ohio can expect to proceed similarly as long as they meet the standards the Memorial is being asked to follow.

DeWine said the coronavirus is still very much a factor in the state and across the country, but he continues to move toward lifting restrictions around the coronavirus pandemic in Ohio. The state will also allow casinos, amusement parks and outdoor theaters to reopen under strict guidelines.