Covid-related travel issues have forced the cancellation of this year’s Junior Ryder Cup.
This afternoon the PGA of America and Ryder Cup Europe issued a joint statement and cited “ongoing travel issues”. The decision was widely expected after a number of the European qualifying competitons were compromised by the ongoing Coronavirus crisis.
First played in 1997, the match was scheduled to take place at Blue Mound Golf & Country Club in Wisconsin in September (20-21). Each team would have contained six boys and six girls.
The statement said: “We are deeply disappointed for the talented young athletes on both sides of the Atlantic who were working hard to earn a place in this wonderful match.”
The European selection panel, headed by former Open champion Paul Lawrie, has been struggling with a number of issues. Last month’s Amateur Championship was shorn of the best players from continental Europe and the Boys Team Championship, which took place in Denmark earlier this month, was played with only 11 nations represented. England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland were among those absent.
The PGA plans to welcome the US Junior Ryder Cup team to Whistling Straits for an exhibition match on Wednesday, September 22. The team will also be introduced at the Ryder Cup Opening Ceremony and invited to watch Friday’s Ryder Cup competition.