Swine Flu postpones Nationwide Tour's

Mexico Open until later in season

The Nationwide Tour’s upcoming Mexico Open has been postponed due to the swine flu outbreak and will be played later in the season, Nationwide Tour president Bill Calfee announced today.
The tournament was to be played during the week of May 18-24. The new tournament dates will be announced in the near future.
El Bosque Golf Club in Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico is the new host site this year. The club is located approximately 200 miles northwest of Mexico City.
“Given the serious circumstances surrounding the swine flu outbreak, the Nationwide Tour has decided it is in everyone’s best interests to reschedule the Mexico Open presented by Corona Light and play the tournament later in the season,” Calfee said in a statement.
“A significant number of lives have been lost in Mexico, which is tragic. There are more important things for people to focus on at the moment."
Calfee said the tour will work with tournament personnel to decide on a new date, saying, “The PGA Tour is very committed to the Mexico Open and looks forward to playing at El Bosque Golf Club.”
All other details regarding the Mexico Open remain unchanged. The total and first-prize money will be $650,000 and $117,000, respectively.
The last time a Nationwide Tour event was postponed and rescheduled later in the season was the 2003 Henrico County Open that was impacted by persistent rains and a saturated, unplayable golf course.
The event was moved from May to July.
This is the second year the Nationwide Tour will be a co-sanctioning partner of the Mexico Open with the Mexican Golf Federation. Australian Jarrod Lyle won last year’s event by five shots over Matt Every.