Mackenzie Hughes of Canada swings over his ball on the 15th tee during the final round of The Honda Classic at PGA National Champion course in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, March 1, 2020. /VCG
The U.S. PGA Tour on Thursday announced plans to resume in June, with the first four tournaments being closed to spectators due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth of Texas, slated for June 11-14, will be the first event on the revised schedule. Then the tour will run through to December.
"The health and safety of all associated with the PGA Tour and our global community continues to be our number one priority, and our hope is to play a role – responsibly – in the world's return to enjoying the things we love," said PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan.
He added: "We will resume competition only when, working closely with our tournaments, partners and communities, it is considered safe to do so under the guidance of the leading public health authorities."
Terrell Hatton and his final put to win the Arnold Palmer Invitational during the final round at the Arnold Palmer PGA Tournament in Orlando, Florida, U.S., March 8, 2020. /VCG
The tour suspended its season after the first round of the Players Championship last month, previously targeting a return on May 21.
The extended suspension means that the Canadian Open and the Barbasol Championship have been cancelled.
The only major championship left on the 2019-20 calendar is the PGA Championship from August 6-9 in San Francisco.
Former PGA Championship winner Justin Thomas said he is in favor of the plan.
"I love that the PGA Tour put something out there," Thomas said. "If it happens or not is an unknown since everyone's safety remains a top priority. But to have them put the effort to show us a plan is great."
In addition to the Charles Schwab Challenge, the tournaments scheduled to be held without fans are the RBC Heritage (June 18-21) in Hilton Head, South Carolina; the Travelers Championship (June 25-28) in Cromwell, Connecticut; and the Rocket Mortgage Classic (July 2-5) in Detroit.
(With input from agencies)