Skip to content

WGC-Mexico Championship moved to Florida due to Covid-19 concerns

The WGC-Mexico Championship, scheduled for February 25-28, will move from Mexico to The Concession Golf Club in Florida and have a new title sponsor because of "logistical challenges" posed by Covid-19.

Patrick Reed of the United States poses with the trophy after winning the WGC-Mexico Championship golf tournament, at the Chapultepec Golf Club in Mexico City, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
Image: Patrick Reed won the 2020 WGC-Mexico Championship

The opening World Golf Championship event of the year has been moved from Mexico to Florida due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The WGC-Mexico Championship, originally due to be held at Chapultepec Golf Club from February 25-28, will now be held The Concession Golf Club in the Bradenton-Sarasota area because of "logistical challenges" posed by Covid-19.

Travel between the United States and Mexico is currently limited to essential personnel only to limit the spread of the virus, while sponsors Grupo Salinas raised concerns about hosting the event in Mexico without the possibility of spectators.

27 May 2015: The Concession Golf Club in Bradenton, FL. The Stanford University Cardinal defeated the Baylor University Bears 3-2 in Match play at the NCAA Women's Division I Golf Championship. Matt Marriott/NCAA Photos
Image: The Concession Golf Club in Florida will host the opening World Golf Championship event of 2021

PGA Tour officials are looking for a new title sponsor for the 2021 event, which will mark the start of an extended four-week "Florida Swing", with the tournament then due to return to Mexico City next year.

"The PGA Tour is grateful for its continued partnership with Grupo Salinas as we navigate the unique challenges created by the pandemic," said Ty Votaw, PGA Tour Executive Vice President, International.

PGA Tour: When will crowds return?
PGA Tour: When will crowds return?

A tournament-by-tournament look at how the PGA Tour is tackling the Covid-19 pandemic.

"While we work toward returning to Mexico in 2022, we are appreciative of the collective effort to bring this event to a worthy venue in The Concession Golf Club, which is renowned as one of the top courses in the state of Florida."

Patrick Reed is defending champion after his one-shot victory over Bryson DeChambeau in last year's contest, while world No 1 Dustin Johnson is a two-time winner after following his 2017 success by finishing five strokes clear of Rory McIlroy in 2019.

Also See:

Dustin Johnson poses with his Mexico Championship trophy at the Chapultepec Golf Club in Mexico City, Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Christian Palma)
Image: Dustin Johnson is a two-time winner of the WGC-Mexico Championship

The Concession - designed by Jack Nicklaus and Tony Jacklin and named after their memorable 1969 Ryder Cup contest - is hosting a PGA Tour event for the first time, having previously held the NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Golf Championships in 2015.

Following the World Golf Championship event, the Florida Swing will continue to the Arnold Palmer Invitational (March 4-7), The Players (March 11-14) and the Honda Classic (March 18-21), with all four tournaments live on Sky Sports.

Watch the WGC-Mexico Championship live from February 25-28 on Sky Sports Golf!

Around Sky