This article summarizes the highlights of professional and amateur golf in the year 2020. The calendar was significantly disrupted by the
COVID-19 pandemic, with many events being canceled or postponed, or taking place without spectators.
17–20 September (18–21 June): U.S. Open –
Bryson DeChambeau won his first major championship title by six strokes over
Matthew Wolff; he was the only player to finish under par.[3]
12–15 November (9–12 April): Masters Tournament –
Dustin Johnson won by five strokes over
Im Sung-jae and
Cameron Smith. It was his first Masters championship and his second major championship. He set a new tournament record of 20 strokes under par.[4]
20–23 August (13–16 August):
The Northern Trust –
Dustin Johnson won by 11 strokes over
Harris English;[9] it was his fifth career tournament win in the FedEx Cup playoffs, and his third in the Northern Trust (formerly known as The Barclays).
4–7 September (27–30 August):
Tour Championship –
Dustin Johnson won by three strokes over
Xander Schauffele and
Justin Thomas, to win the FedEx Cup for the first time. Johnson had started the tournament 3 strokes ahead of Thomas and 7 strokes ahead of Schauffele, who returned the lowest aggregate score.[11]
20 March: Official World Golf Ranking frozen at week 11 due to the
COVID-19 pandemic.[18]
14 June: Official World Golf Ranking restarted at week 24 with the resumption of the PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour.[19]
19 July:
Jon Rahm gained the top spot in the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time, replacing McIlroy.[20]
2 August:
Justin Thomas gained the top spot in the Official World Golf Ranking for the second time, replacing Rahm.[7]
9 August: Rahm regained the number one ranking after finishing in a tie for thirteenth place at the
PGA Championship.[21]
23 August:
Dustin Johnson replaced Rahm as number one in the Official World Golf Ranking following victory in
The Northern Trust; it was the sixth time Johnson had reached the top spot.[9]
10–13 September (2–5 April): ANA Inspiration –
Mirim Lee won her first major championship, defeating
Brooke Henderson and
Nelly Korda with a birdie on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff; she made the playoff by chipping in for eagle on the final hole of regulation play.[24]
10–13 December (4–7 June): U.S. Women's Open –
Kim A-lim, in her first start in a tournament in the United States, won by one stroke over
Ko Jin-young and
Amy Olson. Kim birdied her last three holes and finished three-under par.[26]
20 March: Women's World Golf Rankings frozen at week 11 due to the
COVID-19 pandemic.[18]
20 July: Women's World Golf Rankings resume with altered computation of ranking, back-computed to week 20, when the LPGA of Korea Tour resumed play.[29]
15 May –
Ernie Gonzalez (born 1961), American professional golfer who had one PGA Tour win.[56]
15 May –
Steve Spray (born 1940), American professional golfer who had one PGA Tour win.[57]
11 August –
Gordon J. Brand (born 1955), English professional golfer who had one European Tour win.[58]
28 August –
Mike Joyce (born 1939), American professional golfer who had one Senior PGA Tour win.[59]
5 December –
Peter Alliss (born 1931), English professional golfer, television presenter, commentator, author and golf course designer. He played on eight Ryder Cup teams, and is known for his commentating at
The Open Championship.[60]