PGA Tour not planning for COVID-19 vaccine passports for fans

Like other sports leagues and competitions throughout the United States, the PGA Tour is slowly but surely opening events to percentages of paying spectators as COVID-19 vaccine rollouts continue. One hot-button topic likely to be addressed by league executives and ticket brokers is the idea of so-called coronavirus "vaccine passports" that would allow fans to prove they've received COVID-19 vaccines before purchasing tickets to an event such as a golf tournament. 

According to Bob Harig of ESPN, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan told reporters on Tuesday he's currently not considering opening tournaments only to those who have been vaccinated. 

"I think that hopefully we're getting to a point sooner rather than later where that's not a scenario we need to mandate," Monahan said. "That's the reality with the way people have responded to the opportunity to be vaccinated." 

Monahan added that the Tour intends to continue to enforce mask decrees at events and tournaments.

Before the Super Bowl LV matchup between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs at Raymond James Stadium, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell refused to say if the league will make patrons and personnel, including players, prove they're vaccinated to participate in official events such as games. 

Recently, David A. Andelman of CNN made the case for the use of COVID-19 passports in America.