The event will return to the schedule in '21, meaning that any replacement would be for this year onlyGETTY IMAGES
The PGA Tour's "revamped summer schedule won't include the John Deere Classic," slated to run July 9-12, but the spot on the schedule "won't remain empty for long," according to Will Gray of GOLFCHANNEL.com. The Tour in a statement said that it "plans to fill the vacated spot on the schedule with a new event, with details expected 'in the near future on venue and location.'" The John Deere Classic will return to the schedule in '21, "meaning that any replacement event would be for this year only" (GOLFCHANNEL.com, 5/28). ESPN.com's Bob Harig reported there is "some consideration to having an event at TPC Sawgrass" in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., which is at PGA Tour HQ. The John Deere Classic was "originally scheduled to be the first event to have spectators." Tournament Dir Clair Peterson said that it "became clear that they would need to play the event without spectators, which puts the event in a difficult situation financially" (ESPN.com, 5/28). GOLFWEEK's Adam Schupak noted financial considerations "were part of the decision" to cancel the event this year. Peterson said that the "loss of pro-am income" amounts to over $1M, and all of the tournament's corporate hospitality sponsors "respectfully have said they didn't feel comfortable participating this year" (GOLFWEEK.com, 5/28).
WAITING GAME: In Minneapolis, Jerry Zgoda notes 3M Open officials on Thursday "awaited word from state government concerning proposals they previously submitted." Their plans "range from as many as 5,000 spectators allowed to as few as the 1,300 people needed to stage and televise a tournament scheduled for July 23-26." 3M Open Exec Dir Hollis Cavner said that he believes the event "will be played either way -- or with crowds somewhere in between" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 5/29).
