In this file photo taken on March 12, 2020 Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the fourth hole during the first round of The PLAYERS Championship on The Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (MATT SULLIVAN / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP)

WASHINGTON - The 2020 Augusta Masters has been postponed over concerns about the coronavirus, Augusta National Golf Club announced on Friday.

The health and well-being of everyone associated with the event and the citizens of the Augusta community led us to this decision

Fred Ridley, Augusta National chairman

This announcement comes in the wake of the PGA Tour canceling The Players Championship and three other events leading to the first major championship of the year.

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"Unfortunately, the ever-increasing risks associated with the widespread coronavirus have led us to a decision that undoubtedly will be disappointing to many, although I am confident is appropriate under these unique circumstances," Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley said in a statement.

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"Considering the latest information and expert analysis, we have decided at this time to postpone the Masters tournament. Ultimately, the health and well-being of everyone associated with the event and the citizens of the Augusta community led us to this decision. We hope this postponement puts us in the best position to safely host the Masters tournament and our amateur events at some later date," he added.