PGA Tour Dilemma — Does It Really Need A Million COVID-19 Test Kits?

The PGA Tour basically has 50 days to figure everything out.

When we say “everything” we mean all the moving parts and logistics and good fortune it will take to have the first tee shot in the air on Thursday morning, June 11, at Colonial Country Club.

First problem is that there’s this nasty virus thing that has basically crippled most of the world.  There’s been nothing but day after day, night after night of bad news on top of bad news.

In the United States, the curve is supposed to be flattening — but how flat will it be 50 days from now?  For that matter, how flat will it be 30 days from now?

No one’s really sure how the PGA Tour is going to pull off this seemingly quick return, all things considered.

The crazy rumor out there is that the tour claims to need a million Corona Virus, aka COVID-19 test kits.  Seriously?  Is there an entity anywhere that can wave a big fat magic wand and make a million test kits appear?

And as the country and individual states try and get up and running again, the recurring theme is testing, testing and then more testing.

The ongoing issue in this serious pandemic is the degree of contagion.  This thing spreads like bad news in a small room.

The tour tells us that with no fans in the plans for at least the first four events of this revamped season, it will be mainly players, caddies, tour staff and other support personnel and that number is in the 700-person range.  One would think that somehow everyone on site will be tested.  There’s talk of players and caddies getting tested before they show up anywhere and that makes perfect sense.

But one million test kits?

The Tour has been tight-lipped when that issue is brought up.  If that million number has come up, The Sheriff Of Nottingham (aka tour commish Jay Monahan) isn’t talking about it.  The only thing the Tour will talk about is that race for the FedEx Cup, which has gone from a marathon to a basic mile jaunt.

There are other problems as well.  Some pretty big names are stuck over in Europe, players who want to be in on the action when it resumes.

Tommy Fleetwood is one of at least 25 players and 35 caddies currently outside of the States with those short 50 days until the proposed restart.

There are very stringent border restrictions in place, meaning that The Sheriff may have to give The President a call to get those players and caddies into the country under the old exceptional circumstances clause.

Along with Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton and Matt Fitzpatrick are all in England right now.

However, the PGA Tour does have clout as commissioner Jay Monahan (The Sheriff) is on the President’s 100-plus council of executives tasked with reopening the country’s economy.

The PGA Tour, with its huge broadcast deals, certainly plays its part.  Perhaps the Tour might seek the ability to charter flights in and out of the country to pick up players.

But the major task at hand will be that testing dilemma.

It’s the same dilemma that everything not related to golf or other sports faces.

It’s mind-boggling to consider that this will all unfold in 50 days.  Actually less, considering players in the field will want to be on site for practice rounds.

So 45 days?

Sounds like Noah had an easier task building that ark.