The U.S. Women’s Open has been postponed to December, the USGA announced Friday.
The event had been scheduled for June 4-7 at Champions Golf Club in Houston, but it will now be played Dec. 10-13 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
That would be the latest a major championship is played and the first time an official LPGA Tour event was held entirely in December since Maria Hjorth won the LPGA Tour Championship in 2010.
“The USGA remains committed to hosting the U.S. Women’s Open in 2020,” USGA CEO Mike Davis said in a statement. “We are grateful to the LPGA and our broadcast partner FOX for their terrific collaboration in finding a new date for the championship. Our priority remains ensuring the safety of all involved with the U.S. Women’s Open, while still providing the world’s best players the opportunity to compete this year.”
With the reduced amount of daylight available in December, the event will be played on two courses. The Jackrabbit Course will join the Cypress Creek Course for Rounds 1 and 2.
The USGA said qualifying is expected to be rescheduled, with those changes still to be finalized.
The LPGA also announced changes to the next five events on its calendar, which includes the U.S. Women’s Open. Four tournaments are being rescheduled for later in 2020, and one event was canceled.
The changes means the next event — for now — would be the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship from June 19-21, followed by the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship outside Philadelphia.
Still unknown is whether that is feasible, especially for perhaps the most global sports league, with prominent members stretched around the world. LPGA commissioner Mike Whan said even if it were healthy to resume, with or without fans, he would not want to start unless at least 75% of his players were willing or able to travel and compete.
“If we don’t play golf in the summer, a wraparound [season] becomes a real option,” Whan said.
The LPGA also announced one additional event that has been rescheduled for later in 2020. The Kia Classic, previously postponed in March, will now be held Sept. 24-27 in Carlsbad, California.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.