Shane Lowry is the defending British Open champion. Ian Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

Golf is about to see one of its major championships canceled.

The Open Championship — better known in the U.S. as the British Open — is expected to be canceled, and an announcement could come on Thursday, Golf Digest reports. 

The major was set to be played beginning on July 16 at Royal St. George’s Golf Club in England.

Unlike the Masters and PGA Championship, which have both been postponed, The Open Championship would be canceled for the same reason Wimbledon is being canceled: Insurance.

If canceled by a certain date, The Open Championship can collect on an insurance premium that covers pandemics.

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club (R&A) apparently has excellent insurance coverage, which has led to this decision. This would be the first time since 1945 during World War II that the event has been canceled.

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