BMW PGA Championship to resume on Saturday as 54-hole event after death of Queen
Play in the first round at Wentworth was immediately suspended following Thursday’s announcement, with 30 players on the course
The BMW PGA Championship will resume on Saturday following the postponement of play after the death of the Queen at the age of 96.
Buckingham Palace announced the news on Thursday evening and play in the first round at Wentworth was immediately suspended with 30 players on the course.
The course and practice facilities were closed on Friday, but play will restart at 6.40am on Saturday with the tournament reduced to 54 holes. A two-minute period of silence will also be held at 9.50am on Saturday.
The DP World Tour said in a statement: “The decision to restart on Saturday has been taken in accordance with Official National Mourning guidance and in consultation with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
“The Wentworth event will give players, caddies, staff, volunteers and spectators the opportunity to come together across the weekend, not only to express their condolences but also to celebrate the extraordinary life of Her Majesty.
“We join other sports in doing this, including the men’s Test match between England and South Africa at the Oval and the Women’s IT20 match between England and India in County Durham, Premiership rugby union, rugby league and the Great North Run in the north east of England.
“The second round of the BMW PGA Championship will resume at 6.40am on Saturday morning and all original second-round tee times will remain the same.
“Those players who are yet to complete their first round will do so from 7.30am onwards from the place on the golf course where they stopped on Thursday afternoon.
“The Rolex Series event will now be contested over 54 holes with the intention to finish on Sunday as scheduled.
“It is not possible to play the full 72 holes and finish on Monday as we cannot guarantee the staff, facilities or security of the venue on Monday due to the ongoing plans for the state funeral.
“Across the weekend at Wentworth, black ribbons will be made available for people to wear and flags will continue to fly at half-mast.
“In addition, there will be a two-minute silence at 9.50am on Saturday morning across the venue to commemorate the life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, with the proclamation of King Charles III being shown on the television screens in the Championship Village from 10am.”
While catering facilities will be open in the Championship Village, planned concerts by Jax Jones on Saturday and Razorlight on Sunday have been cancelled.
The statement continued: “On behalf of our players and everyone connected with the European Tour group, our thoughts and deepest condolences continue to be with the Royal Family at this time.”
Tommy Fleetwood, Andy Sullivan and Viktor Hovland shared the clubhouse lead on eight under par when play was suspended.
Tributes to the Queen from the world of golf continued to be paid on Friday, with Dame Laura Davies tweeting: “Thank you your Majesty you truly were Elizabeth the Great RIP.
The Ladies European Tour wrote on social media: “Everyone at the LET is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with The Royal Family and everyone mourning the loss of Her Majesty.”
A two-minute period of silence was held during the second day’s play in the VP Bank Swiss Ladies Open on Friday.
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