The United States eased the pathway for international golfers to return to the PGA Tour and LPGA.
The Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad F. Wolf on Friday signed an order that permits certain foreign professional athletes who compete in sporting events, along with their essential staff and dependents, to enter the U.S. The international athletes will be exempt from entry restrictions that were established for non-U.S. residents as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Professional sporting events provide much needed economic benefits, but equally important, they provide community pride and national unity,” Wolf said. “In today’s environment, Americans need their sports. It’s time to reopen the economy and it’s time we get our professional athletes back to work.”
The Department of Homeland Security’s announcement included both the PGA Tour and LPGA among the eight sports league whose athletes were eligible for the exemption.
The countries and regions affected by the exemption include the United Kingdom, Ireland, Europe, China and Iran. Francesco Molinari (Italy), Adam Scott (Australia) and Englishmen Tommy Fleetwood, Lee Westwood and Eddie Pepperell were among the foreign players who publicly stated that they would skip tournaments or delay their return because of the restrictions and concerns for their health. The PGA Tour recently estimated that 25 players were living outside of the U.S. While the exemption makes efforts to return easier, they still face a 14-day quarantine upon arrival.
The PGA Tour is scheduled to return to action at the Charles Schwab Challenge in Ft. Worth, Texas on June 11 and the LPGA on July 23 at the Marathon Classic in Sylvania, Ohio.
