The Players Championship canceled after Matsuyama’s record day; next three events too

With coronavirus concerns canceling sporting events around the world, golf was one of the few to continue Thursday as fans witnessed Hideki Matsuyama tie a TPC Sawgrass course record with a 63 to take the first-round lead at the Players Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

Starting with Round 2, however, the competitors were to be on their own. PGA Commissioner Jay Monahan said early Thursday that fans would not be allowed at the final three days of the tournament, commonly known as “The Fifth Major.“

Late Thursday, however, the PGA announced it had decided to cancel the remaining rounds of the tournament and all events through the Velero Texas Open, meaning the next three tour stops also are canceled.

Matsuyama had given the crowd something to cheer about when he finished with a 25-foot eagle putt on the ninth green. He is the ninth player to shoot a 63 at TPC Sawgrass. At nine under par, he had held a two-stroke lead over Harris English and Christiaan Bezuidenhout.