US Open nearly moved to Los Angeles in December due to COVID-19

Sep 16, 2020; Mamaroneck, New York, USA; Phil Mickelson and other golfers and caddies stand at the fifth tee in front of a sign that reads, "Thank you for practicing social distancing," during a practice round for the 2020 U.S. Open golf tournament at Winged Foot Golf Club - West. [Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports]

This week's US Open at Winged Foot in Mamaroneck, New York, would likely have been played in December in Los Angeles had the British Open not been cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the United States Golf Association said on Wednesday.

The USGA, whose flagship event was originally set for mid-June, only settled on a September date once organisers of the British Open, which were also considering rescheduling for the same month, decided to cancel the 2020 edition.