The death of Queen Elizabeth II Thursday led to the stoppage of play at the BMW PGA Championship at Surrey, England.
The flagship event on the DP World Tour was in the midst of the first round when play was halted. No golf will be played Friday, either, with the tournament able to resume Saturday at the earliest.
The 96-year-old queen was Great Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. She spent 70 years on the throne before her death at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.
Tournament video boards announced the news: “Play will be suspended until further notice following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”
Englishmen Tommy Fleetwood and Andy Sullivan and Norway’s Viktor Hovland all were in the clubhouse with opening rounds of 8-under-par 64 before play was suspended. Another Englishman, Matthew Jordan, had completed a 7-under 65. Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, who won the PGA’s Tour Championship in Atlanta last month, shot a 4-under 68.
Thirty players had yet to finish their rounds.
“Out of respect for Her Majesty and the Royal Family, play has been suspended at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club for the remainder of Thursday and flags at Wentworth Club will be lowered to half-mast,” the tournament said in a statement. ” … Further updates on the resumption of play will be provided in due course. Our deepest sympathies and condolences are with the Royal Family at this time.”
The practice facility at Wentworth Club, located just outside London, also is expected to be closed through Friday.
Other sporting events in the United Kingdom slated for Thursday and Friday were called off, including rugby matches, a stage of the Tour of Britain cycling competition and English Football League soccer.
The Premier League did not announce plans for matches scheduled for the weekend.
“The Premier League is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Her Majesty The Queen, Elizabeth II,” the Premier League said in a statement on social media. “Our thoughts and condolences are with The Royal Family and everyone around the world mourning the loss of Her Majesty.”
The NFL said it would hold a moment of silence to recognize the queen’s passing before Thursday night’s season-opening game between the Buffalo Bills and host Los Angeles Rams.
–Field Level Media
