No spectators will be allowed at Augusta National for this year's US Masters, tournament officials have announced.
The championship was due to take place from April 9th-12th but has been postponed until November 12th-15th due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Fred Ridley, chairman of Augusta National Golf Club, said: "Since our initial announcement to postpone the 2020 Masters we have remained committed to a rescheduled tournament in November while continually examining how best to host a global sporting event amid this pandemic.
“As we have considered the issues facing us, the health and safety of everyone associated with the Masters always has been our first and most important priority.
“Throughout this process, we have consulted with health officials and a variety of subject matter experts. Ultimately, we determined that the potential risks of welcoming patrons and guests to our grounds in November are simply too significant to overcome.
“Even in the current circumstances, staging the Masters without patrons is deeply disappointing. The guests who come to Augusta each spring from around the world are a key component to making the tournament so special.
“Augusta National has the responsibility, however, to understand and accept the challenges associated with this virus and take the necessary precautions to conduct all aspects of the tournament in a safe manner.
“We look forward to the day when we can welcome all of our patrons back, hopefully in April 2021.
“We appreciate the support and patience of all those we serve - including the Augusta community, our corporate and broadcast partners and our friends in golf - as we continue to plan for this historic event.”
Spectators who had tickets for this year will be guaranteed the same tickets for 2021.
The US PGA Championship was held successfully without spectators last week and the US Open is due to take place in September. The British Open is the only one of the four majors to have been postponed until next year.
