Corona crisis wreaks havoc with major championships
Wimbledon 2020 has come and gone without a single ball being served at The All England Lawn Tennis Club. Thankfully the good ol’ BBC managed to fill the painful void with a fascinating tardis trip back through time so we could all once again soak up some of the greatest duels which have ever taken place on the hallowed turf. A sumptuous daily dose of past Wimbledon triumphs brought to us in our homes on the box and served with a delicious coating of Sue Barker sauce. All in all, a much-needed boost to raise our spirits amid the Corona pandemic during what would normally have been another unforgettable Wimbledon fortnight (28th June to 11th July 2020).
It is the first time since the Second World War that the Wimbledon tennis championship has not taken place. The cancellation of this year’s tournament was announced as far back as the 1st of April when Europe was first in the grip of the Corona virus. Inevitably as COVID-19 continues to take its toll on our lives, more of the world’s greatest sporting events have bitten the dust.
Open at Royal St George’s cancelled
Golf’s governing body, the R&A, also took an early decision to cancel the 2020 Open Championship. Due to take place at Royal St George’s in Kent from 12th to 19th July, Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, admits that he made the announcement “with a heavy heart” on the 6th April. This is the first time since the Second World War that golf’s original Championship, first played in 1860, has been cancelled.
Lowry Champion for another year
Irishman Shane Lowry will have the unusual honour of being the Open Champion for a second consecutive year without even hitting a single shot. You’ll be able to reflect on his 2019 victory at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland along with some of the Open’s other greatest stories in a BBC television series of one-hour specials: ‘Chronicles of a Champion Golfer’ to be screened daily from Thursday, 16th July to Saturday, 18th July.
One assumes we’ll be serenaded by the dulcet tones and humour of Peter Alliss and charmed by the knowledgeable Ken Brown (off the course, of course) heading the BBC’s commentary team. Perhaps even filmed at Royal St George’s tucked away down at Sandwich on the Kent coast? Now that would be a real summer treat.
Wendy Hoad
Editor
READ MORE about Shane Lowry’s Open victory at Royal Portrush:
‘Momentous moments: The Open 2019’
GOLF ON TELEVISION: As the Corona virus COVID-19 continues to turn the world upside down, television succeeds in bringing some light relief into our lives together with a strong hope that we will return to a sort of normality sometime soon.
BBC 2 – ‘Chronicles of a Champion Golfer’: Thursday, 16th July at 13.00; Friday, 17th July at 13.45, Saturday 10.00 and 11.00 hrs. All times GMT. Check TV guide as timings may change.
MOST RECENT OPEN CHAMPIONS:
2019 Shane Lowry – Royal Portrush, Northern Ireland
2018 Francesco Molinari – Carnoustie, Scotland
2017 Jordan Spieth – Royal Birkdale, England
FUTURE OPEN DATES:
The 149th Open will be played at Royal St George’s from 11-18 July 2021.
The 150th Open will be played at St Andrews from 10-17 July 2022.
MAIN PHOTOGRAPH: 2019 Open Champion Shane Lowry (right) with his caddie Brian ‘Bo’ Martin. © Photography by Golfing Inspirations