European Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington is open for the idea of playing this year’s edition of the event behind closed doors, should the Covid-19 issue continue to derail mass gatherings.
Scheduled for the 25th to the 27th of September, this year’s Ryder Cup is set to be held at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin as the USA get their turn to stage the event once again after losing to Team Europe at Le Golf National in 2018.
But, the ongoing pandemic of the coronavirus has casted a shadow of doubt over the event with The Telegraph reporting on Thursday that it could be cancelled.
Harrington, though, remains adamant that the tournament should go ahead, even if it means no fans will be in attendance.
Speaking to Off The Ball, the three-time major winner said he would like to see golf continue as normal in the near future but only if the safety of players and spectators can be assured.
‘I’d be more thinking, wouldn’t we love some sport going on now. Most people are stuck at home and would love something to watch on the TV.
‘I would go down the road – if it was possible from a health and safety point of view – wouldn’t it be great to put something on the television that people could watch? Something to bring a bit of something else into the day,’ Harrington said.
READ: Lange showed no symptoms
He also believes that by the start of the Ryder Cup many events and competitions could be staged behind closed doors.
‘You wouldn’t want to take it away from the limited number of tests there are now but there are lots of different types of scenarios that we just cannot envisage right now.
‘That is why they haven’t cancelled it and are preparing to have it – there really are so many scenarios that could come into play in that time.’
