Several tournaments get later dates due to COVID-19

With the world still dealing with the spread of coronavirus, golf's top organizations released a joint statement and updated schedule Monday, which included new dates for the BMW Championship at Olympia Fields, the U.S. Open and the Masters at Augusta National.

"This is a difficult and challenging time for everyone coping with the effects of this pandemic," began the statement from the PGA Tour, LPGA, European Tour, Augusta National Golf Club, PGA of America, The R&A and the United States Golf Association.

"We remain very mindful of the obstacles ahead, and each organization will continue to follow the guidance of the leading public health authorities, conducting competitions only if it is safe and responsible to do so."

The six biggest decisions:

• The PGA Tour's regular-season finale and all three FedEx Cup Playoff events have been moved back one week. That means the BMW Championship at Olympia Fields - the second playoff event - will take place Aug. 25-30 instead of Aug. 18-23. The Tour Championship will be held Sept. 1-7.

• There will be no British Open for the first time since World War II. It was scheduled to be played July 12-19 at Kent, England. The Championship will be played next at Royal St. George's in 2021.

• Augusta National will attempt to host the Masters Nov. 9-15. It was previously scheduled April 6-12.

• The U.S. Open, scheduled June 15-21, has been rescheduled for Sept. 14-20 and will remain at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y.

• The PGA Championship, originally scheduled in May, will take place Aug. 3-9 and remain at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco.

• The Ryder Cup remains Sept. 22-27 at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin.