It was the only men’s major not played last year during the global COVID-19 pandemic.
This time around, there is every intention to play the Open Championship, and that means with or without fans.
According to a report by Sky Sports, R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers said the 149th Open will be contested at Royal St George’s in July. The report quotes Slumbers as saying he “strongly believes” the tournament needs fans to be in attendance and that he’ll see how the limited numbers at April’s Masters Tournament goes.
“We will play the Open this year,” Slumbers told Sky Sports News. “Clearly at this point there are multiple scenarios. … I think there’s a very good possibility we will be able to have spectators, but we will have to wait and see how many.”
Postponing the event a year also pushed back the 150th Open at St. Andrews to 2022.
