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LEXINGTON, Ky. (KT) — The Barbasol Championship won’t be played this year.

The annual event, originally slated for July 16-19 at Champions at Keene Trace in Nicholasville, wasn’t listed on an updated schedule released by the PGA Tour Thursday. The Nationwide Memorial has been moved into the slot usually reserved for the Barbasol event.

“Since our inception in 2015 as a PGA TOUR event, the Barbasol Championship has been tied to the same week as The Open Championship,” tournament director Bryan Pettigrew said. “Given the unfortunate circumstances of The Open being canceled in 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic, it’s been a challenge for the PGA TOUR to find an available date for our event this year. 

“While we’re disappointed to not be on the revamped schedule announced today, we understand the complexity of the situation. As we continue discussions with the TOUR, we would certainly consider an opportunity to host the Barbasol Championship in a safe and responsible manner if a date were to become available.”

Defending champion Jim Herman was disappointed in the decision.

“I was really excited to defend my title this summer in Kentucky,” Herman said. “And while I’m sad to have to wait, I’ll look forward to returning to the Bluegrass in 2021 and playing some great golf in front of the best fans in the country.”

The PGA Tour announced plans to begin its season June 11-14 with the Charles Schwab Challenge in Texas. The PGA Championship will be Aug. 6-9, followed by the U.S. Open on Sept. 17-20 and the Masters will be Nov. 12-15.

The first four events will be closed to the general public but officials will monitor the situation and follow the recommendations of local and state authorities in order to determine the most appropriate on-site access in each market.

Keith Taylor is sports editor for Kentucky Today. Reach him at keith.taylor@kentuckytoday.com or twitter @keithtaylor21.