The Ryder Cup, often referred to as sport’s third-biggest event, is expected to be postponed until next year, with the golf authorities rapidly reaching the decision that their most lucrative spectacle should not be jammed into a schedule that is contracting by the week due to the coronavirus crisis.

On Tuesday night, it was confirmed that the USPGA Championship, the year’s second major, was in the wake of next month’s Masters’ in being called off. Those are huge blows to golf’s calendar but there can be no doubt that the hiatus of the famous biennial dust-up will be most keenly felt by sports fans.

The 2020 Ryder Cup is due to be contested at Whistling Straits, Wisconsin, in the last week of September, with the United States desperate to reclaim the trophy after just one victory in the past 12 years.

However, with the suspension of all of the major tours due to the coronavirus pandemic, the European Tour and PGA of America – the bodies that run the Ryder Cup – are ready to replicate the decision of 19 years ago. The 2001 Ryder Cup at the Belfry was delayed for a year following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The PGA Tour is also involved in these negotiations, as are Augusta National Golf Club and the United States Golf Association, which oversee the Masters and US Open respectively. The Masters, which was due to take place in three weeks’ time, is being planned for later in the year, with October appearing to be the favoured month.

None of other three Grand Slam events has yet to declare its position, but it is almost inconceivable that any will take place at their scheduled dates in May, June and July. It is understood that the R&A is desperate to ensure its major takes place at Royal St George’s some time this year as the governing body has made great store in hosting in the 150th Open next year at St Andrews, the so-called “Home of Golf”.