Former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley believes this September's matches between Europe and the USA should go ahead, even if that means no crowds present.
McGinley told Off the Ball's Golf Weekly that the threat of a second or third wave of the coronavirus will limit the impact of Governments to revert back to mass gatherings immediately.
"I'm all for playing it to be honest, if we can at all play it, even if it has to be behind closed doors. I'd be for playing it. These are unique circumstances."
McGinley captained Europe to victory over the Americans at Gleneagles in 2014 and his friend and fellow Dublin native Padraig Harrington is tasked with leading Europe in Wisconsin.
The staging of the event is in doubt, with the Masters and US PGA Championship already postponed and The Open likely to follow suit.
McGinley says we all need to adjust our mindset when it comes to the resumption of sport.
"Let's just say we get on the other side of this virus, whether it be May or so. It's highly unlikely that any of the Governments around the world are going to go 'okay folks, everybody back to where they are, or back to where they were', particularly in light of potentially a second or third wave of this virus coming through.
So it's highly unlikely they are going to endorse or allow any kind of mass gatherings of people. At the same time, I know they would be keen to get some sport back, but I think that would be the first stage."
McGinley says a Ryder Cup with no crowds would be better than no event.
"If golf has to be that way, so be it. Premier League will be that way, rugby will be that way, GAA will be that way. I think that's what we're all facing - realistically in 2020."
He added, tongue in cheek:
"Being an away team you want to go in without the crowds, don't you, particularly in America!"
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