John Deere Classic cancelled due to area restrictions but PGA hopes to fill the week with another event

SILVIS, ILLINOIS, May 29: This was supposed to be a big year for John Deere Classic. After all, there aren’t too many events with a 50-year-history. Well almost.

John Deere Classic, where many a player dreams of making that last spot for the only Major outside of the United States, will now have to wait till 2021 for its 50thstaging.

Citing a lot of uncertainty about ongoing local and state-related challenges related to gathering restrictions, the John Deere Classic, title sponsor John Deere and the PGA TOUR announced that the 2020 tournament, scheduled for July 9-12, has been cancelled.

It will return to the PGA TOUR schedule in 2021 with its 50th edition.

This also means one more week to fill for the PGA TOUR, which announced that it would 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 ongoing 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.”

“We understand and respect that the Quad Cities market has dynamics and challenges that prevent the playing of the John Deere Classic in 2020,” said Andy Pazder, PGA TOUR Chief Tournaments and Competitions Officer.

Despite the cancellation, the John Deere Classic will continue its Birdies for Charity fundraiser for 2020. Last year, $13.8 million was generated in support of 543 local and regional charity organizations, bringing the tournament’s all-time total to $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.

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