Silvis, Illinois and Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, United States: Citing on-going local and State-related challenges related to gathering restrictions, the John Deere Classic, title sponsor John Deere and the PGA Tour have announced that the 2020 tournament, scheduled for July 9-12, has been cancelled. It is set to return to the PGA Tour schedule in 2021 with its 50th playing.

As a result of this decision, the PGA Tour announced that it will fill the week vacated by the John Deere Classic with a new tournament. The Tour will provide details in the near future on the venue and location.

“Because of the on-going health and safety concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic, the difficult decision was made to cancel the 2020 John Deere Classic,” said Tournament Director Clair Peterson. “While we considered several alternatives for the Classic, this was the choice that made the most sense for our guests, the players and the Quad City community at large.”

Andy Pazder, the PGA Tour’s Chief Tournaments and Competitions Officer, said: “We understand and respect that the Quad Cities market has dynamics and challenges that prevent the playing of the John Deere Classic in 2020. As we’ve seen through the years, the community support for the John Deere Classic is unwavering and I have no doubt the event will return stronger than ever in its 50th playing in 2021.”

Despite the cancellation, the John Deere Classic will continue its Birdies for Charity fund-raiser for 2020. Last year, US$13.8 million was generated in support of 543 local and regional charity organisations, bringing the tournament’s all-time total to US$120 million since the first playing in 1971. Ninety-nine percent of that has come since John Deere assumed title sponsorship in 1998.

This year’s John Deere Classic would have been the Quad Cities’ 50th PGA Tour event and the 21st played at TPC Deere Run. Dylan Frittelli is the defending champion.

John Deere is an Executive Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.