Coronavirus: Ryder Cup likely will be moved to 2021 but has not been yet

On Monday night, there were multiple published reports – which began out of Great Britain – that the 2020 Ryder Cup to be held at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin from Sept. 25-27 would be shifted to 2021 at the same location due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Guardian newspaper also reported that the event between the USA and Europe would stay in odd-numbered years going forward. It used to be held in odd-numbered years until the 9/11 attacks forced a switch from 2001 to 2002.

However, a Ryder Cup spokesman told a Milwaukee radio station that: "The 2020 Ryder Cup remains as scheduled. … The PGA of America continues to closely follow the guidance of federal, state, and local public health authorities. The safety and well-being of all is our highest priority."

It does seem rather likely that the tournament will be moved, with an announcement next week. According to GOLF.com, there are no signs at Whistling Straits that any work on grandstands or other tournament infrastructure had begun yet – and preparations would have begun if the course was going to hold the Ryder Cup.

Several notable players have requested a shift to 2021 in saying that the Ryder Cup simply would not be the same without fans allowed in attendance. They are right, too, because no golf tournament gets the fans more fired up because of the patriotic flair. Both Team USA captain Steve Stricker and European counterpart Padraig Harrington (pictured) have said they don't want a Ryder Cup played without spectators.

Currently on the moneyline odds at William Hill sportsbook, the USA and Europe are both -138 to win the 2020 Ryder Cup with a tie at +1200. If there is a tie, Europe would keep the Ryder Cup thanks to its dominant 17.5-10.5 victory two years ago in France. This century, the Americans have won the Cup just twice, both on U.S. soil.

Whistling Straits will host the Ryder Cup for the first time but has hosted three PGA Championships (2004 won by Vijay Singh, 2010 won by Martin Kaymer and 2015 won by Jason Day).

Check out SportsLine's expert picks for this week's Travelers Championship on the PGA Tour. Mike McClure correctly projected Webb Simpson to win last week's RBC Heritage.