New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said that The Barclays, the first event in the FedEx Cup Playoffs, will "be returning" to Bethpage Black in '21 and '27 "as part of an agreement reached" between the state and the PGA Tour, according to Mark Herrmann of NEWSDAY. The announcement "ensures a continued high-profile presence in pro golf for the Black Course, which had an uncertain tournament future after two rain-soaked U.S. Opens" in '02 and '09. The USGA "did not show an interest in returning, especially after stark criticism over handling of ticket refunds" in '09. The course is already scheduled "to hold" the '19 PGA Championship and '24 Ryder Cup. The PGA Tour "liked what it saw in Bethpage and included it in the rotation for the first of its four playoff events." The Tour first held The Barclays at Bethpage in '12, and the tourney "is scheduled to return" in '16. Tour pros "have been impressed with the way a heavily trafficked municipal course can stand up to major championship and top tour competition." There was "some criticism about the hardness of the greens" after the third round of the '12 Barclays, but players "were generally satisfied after the final round" (NEWSDAY, 2/3).
