Over the last month, the LPGA canceled its three-event Asian swing due to the current coronovirus outbreak.
Meanwhile, the LPGA of Japan will hold its season-opening event as scheduled in March, but with a twist.
No fans.
The Daikin Orchid Ladies, set for March 5-8 at Okinawa’s Ryukyu Golf Club, will still be played but without a gallery. The pro-am scheduled for March 4 is canceled.
“It is to ensure the safety of the gallery, the players and volunteers,” said a tournament organizer to Kyodo News. The virus has killed more than 2,000 people in China since its emergence in December. Japan had its first fatality due to the virus Feb. 13.
The last time a round on the tour was played without fans was October 2019 in Shizuoka due to Typhoon Hagibis.
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