Ryder Cup 2020 may be played behind closed doors admits Europe captain Padraig Harrington if coronavirus still an issue
RYDER CUP captain Padraig Harrington is in favour of playing the event behind closed doors. Three-time Major champ Harrington is refusing to rule out anything with the global sporting calendar decimated by coronavirus. The Masters has been postponed, the European Tour have suspended ticket sales for the rest of the year and the USPGA Championship […]
RYDER CUP captain Padraig Harrington is in favour of playing the event behind closed doors.
Three-time Major champ Harrington is refusing to rule out anything with the global sporting calendar decimated by coronavirus.
The Masters has been postponed, the European Tour have suspended ticket sales for the rest of the year and the USPGA Championship has also been pushed back.
Harrington is refusing to rule out the idea of golf’s biggest event being played out with no fans present.
The Irishman, 48, is set to lead Team Europe against the Americans at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin on September 25-27.
Reports have claimed the clash could be postponed to 2021 because of coronavirus – something two-time Open winner Harrington has ruled out.
And he is even entertaining the notion of the 24-man event being played without fans.
Asked about playing behind closed doors, Harrington told the Off the Ball show on Irish radio station Newstalk: “I’d be more considered – wouldn’t we love some sport to be going on now, if it was possible?
“Most people are stuck at home, wouldn’t we love something to be able to watch on the TV, a bit of sport?
“I would go down the road if it was possible to play it from a health and safety point of view. Wouldn’t it be great to put something on television for people to watch to bring a bit of something else into the day?
“By the time we get to that sort of stage I’m sure there will be some sporting events where enough of the athletes are recovered and can compete behind closed doors.
“I’m not talking golf here, other sports, just to give us something to watch on TV.
“We all miss the Premiership, the rugby, golf or any other sport. It would be not essential but it would sure beat watching another boxset on Netflix wouldn’t it?
“I think it would be odd and strange, and I think some of the soccer matches, there was a bit of that about it, but it would be more about providing a service than the sport.
“You can see it happening in that situation where as I said players could be checked. By September there will be more ability to test people and more will have recovered.
“There are things by the time September comes round that we just cannot envisage right now and that’s why they haven’t cancelled it or are preparing to have it.
“There really are so many scenarios that can come into play before that crunch time.”
Harrington also suggested the qualification process could be changed to allow Cup holders Europe to go to America with the best team.
Currently, the top four on the European points list, top five on the world ranking list and three captain’s picks get in.
Harrington said: “It will be sorted out. There’s a logical way to sort this out that will give everybody a fair chance.
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“We need it so there is a point in time we can play x amounts of events or we can’t play any or we’re going to start at the start next year again. There’s loads of different ways.
“There’s ways to look after guys who started well this season – if they need to restart the season again.. there’s ways to look after guys who have started badly if they don’t get to play the rest of the season.
“Once there is a bit of clarity those decisions will be fairly easily made. In the bigger scheme of things its very stressful for those players but it will get sorted.”