Maybank Championship, Volvo China Open postponed due to concerns over coronavirus outbreak

outbreak of dely coronavirus in China has forced organisers to postpone Maybank Championship Golf, which was scheduled to take place at Saujana Golf and Country Club in Kuala Lumpur from April 16 to 19. Volvo China Open, a European Tour event in Guangdong, China, due to take place from April 20 to 23, has also been postponed. Asian Tour and European Tour accepted a request from title sponsor and promoter Maybank to postpone Maybank Championship, while decision to postpone Volvo China Open was taken after consultation with tournament stakeholders -- China Golf Association, Genzon Golf Club, Shenzhen Government, title sponsor Volvo and promoters Mitime Golf.

Discussions are ongoing with all parties looking into possibility of rescheduling tournament later this season. Keith Pelley, Chief Executive of European Tour, said: " well-being of our players, spectators and staff is always our absolute priority. While it is refore regrettable that Maybank Championship and Volvo China Open have been postponed, we feel this is correct course of action at this time. We are currently investigating alternative dates for both events." coronavirus, which has killed nearly 1,500 people and infected over 60,000 across world, has been declared a global health emergency by World Health Organisation (WHO).

Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner and CEO of Asian Tour said: "We respect decision me by various key stakeholders of Maybank Championship. We understand ir concerns over evolving Covid-19 situation which is a major international health issue and we look forward to return of Maybank Championship when situation rmalises." spre of virus, kwn as Covid-19, has eir postponed or cancelled a number of sporting events in China and or Asian countries. In golf, tournaments run by LPGA Tour, R&A and PGA Tour Series-China have been eir cancelled or postponed. LPGA Tour has recently cancelled three big Asian events over coming weeks in Thailand and China as well as its HSBC Women's World Championship in Singapore.