PGA Tour updates players on allowing family and guests at events

Following months of playing through a pandemic players didn’t need to be reminded of how fluid the situation is, but on Wednesday they were given a glimpse of how quickly the circuit’s COVID-19 protocols can change depending on where a tournament is played.

The e-mail outlined access at events starting at this month’s World Golf Championship that will be played in Bradenton, Florida, through the Valero Texas Open in early April.

Not including events in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, players will be allowed full family access at every event through Texas, including up to four tickets per day at The Players for other guests. Player managers will also be allowed at all the Florida swing events as well as the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play and Texas Open.

Family members, player managers and guests are only allowed onsite during competition days and they will not be given access to “player restricted areas” or inside the ropes.

By comparison, there are no family members or significant others allowed this week at Pebble Beach or next week at the Genesis Invitational in Los Angeles. Officials at Pebble Beach were even restricted from building a player dining tent to accommodate the entire field. Instead, players were advised, “in event of an on-course evacuation, players and caddies will be required to seek shelter in their vehicle.”

The memo also reminds players of how the Tour’s protocols will continue to evolve: “It is important to note that these plans vary by market due to current COVID-19 guidelines. We will continue to monitor developments with COVID-19 and will keep you apprised of any changes to the following plan.”