DOHA: The European Tour announced the cancellations of both the French Open and the BMW International Open in Munich due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The British Open, golf’s only major tournament played outside the United States, had already been scrapped, with top tours having been shut down since March 13.
The last completed event on the European Tour was the Qatar Masters, which ended on March 8.
The French Open, continental Europe’s oldest Open competition, was due to be held from July 2-5, but was cancelled after the French government extended the ban on all mass gatherings until mid-July.
The BMW event in Munich was scheduled for June 25-28.
“Both Germany and France have been significantly impacted by coronavirus, and our thoughts go out to everyone affected in both countries, as well as elsewhere around the world,” said European Tour chief Keith Pelley.
The Scottish Open, usually a key warm-up for the now-cancelled British Open, was due to take place in mid-July.
Meanwhile, the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open, one of eight Rolex Series events announced at the start of the 2020 season, was scheduled to return to The Renaissance Club in North Berwick from July 9-12. Discussions are ongoing to reschedule the tournament.
Keith Pelley, European Tour Chief Executive, said: “The decision to cancel the BMW International Open, which has been a cornerstone of the European Tour calendar for three decades, and the Open de France, one of our most historic national Opens was made in consultation with our long-term partner BMW and the French Golf Federation respectively with public health and well-being the absolute priority for all of us.
“Both Germany and France have been significantly impacted by Coronavirus, and our thoughts go out to everyone affected in both countries, as well as elsewhere around the world.
“We will only announce details of these plans when we have clarity on the global situation.”
The golfing calendar has been thrown into disarray by the COVID-19 outbreak, with the Masters, originally scheduled for April, to be played in November, while the PGA Championship has been moved from May until August, and the US Open from June to September.
