PGA exploring 'virtual fan experience' for possible spectator-free Ryder Cup

The PGA of America is considering its options in case spectators are unable to attend the 2020 Ryder Cup in September because of the coronavirus pandemic.

"It's hard to imagine one without fans," PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh said, according to Golf Channel's Ryan Lavner. "We have begun to talk about whether you could create some virtual fan experience, and we're going to try to be as creative as we can.

"It's (still) to be determined, frankly, whether you could hold it without fans or not."

The Ryder Cup is slated to be held at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin from Sept. 25-27 and is considered a predominately fan-based event. Even Waugh admitted that "the fans are the Ryder Cup, to a certain degree."

While the PGA of America - which represents the U.S. side of the competition - explores options for a fan-less event, European team captain Padraig Harrington likely isn't spending time doing the same.

"There is a general consensus, which might not have been clear at the start but it's very clear now: (The Ryder Cup) will not go ahead without spectators," Harrington said last week.

It's expected that the golf world will have already experienced events without fans by the time the Ryder Cup rolls around. The PGA Tour is planning to resume its season on June 11 at the Charles Schwab Challenge and intends to stage the first four tournaments of the revised schedule without spectators present.