Ryder Cup captains Padraig Harrington and Steve Stricker say that Europe and USA are 'united like never before' as the world of golf faces the coronavirus crisis.
The pair released a joint letter to fans, urging everyone to come together to help defeat the Covid-19 crisis.
The spread of the virus has led to a shutdown of the golf calender as majors such as the Masters and The Open were postponed, but the Ryder Cup later this year is yet to be officially postponed.
In the letter, Harrington and Stricker said: "Every two years Europe and the United States of America come together.
"We are united by the shared values of sportsmanship and our desire to defeat a formidable opponent.
"In doing so, we witness some incredible displays of determination, passion and spirit.
"When Europe takes on the United States in The Ryder Cup it is always fiercely contested but it is just golf. It is not a matter of life and death.
"Today Europe and the United States are united like never before. We have a formidable opponent, but it is not each other. It is like nothing we have ever faced before.
"Defeating coronavirus won't happen in three days. It won't happen because of the efforts of only 12 men. It needs all of us to play our part."
Harrington and Stricker also paid tribute to the healthcare workers and frontline staff who have put their lives on the line battling the virus.
They said: "Instead of celebrating someone in a Green Jacket, this week we rightly celebrate those selfless people around the world wearing scrubs, wearing white coats, wearing supermarket uniforms, together with everyone else working round the clock to protect us and keep the world functioning.
"You are our true heroes."
