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Ryder Cup captains Padraig Harrington and Steve Stricker have welcomed the event's postponement for 12 months.

The biennial contest between the United States and Europe will now be held at Whistling Straits in September 2021 and every two years thereafter.

Continuing concerns over coronavirus meant the Wisconsin venue was unable to host fans this year - a scenario both captains, plus organisers and the majority of players likely to be involved, were not in favour of.

However, the PGA of America has warned if the 2021 Ryder Cup cannot proceed as they would envisage it would most likely be cancelled next year.

"Rescheduling the Ryder Cup was never going to be an easy decision given the many factors to take into consideration but I believe it is the right assessment given the unprecedented circumstances we are facing at this time," said European captain Harrington.

"When you think of the Ryder Cup you think of the distinctive atmosphere generated by the spectators, such as around the first tee at Le Golf National two years ago.

"If that cannot be responsibly recreated at Whistling Straits in September, then it is correct that we all wait until it can be.

"I know, right now, that September 2021 feels like a long time away but it will come around quickly and I guarantee that the European players and I will be ready when it does."

American counterpart Stricker, born and still a resident in Wisconsin, was in agreement, saying: "At the end of the day, we want to stage a Ryder Cup that will rival all other Ryder Cups in my home state of Wisconsin, and now we have the opportunity to showcase the event as it was meant to be seen."

PGA of America chief executive Seth Waugh stressed public safety was paramount in their decision-making

"Given that uncertainty, we knew rescheduling was the right call. As disappointing as this is, our mandate to do all we can to safeguard public health is what matters most," he said.

The Ryder Cup's move to September 24-26, 2021 means the Presidents Cup at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, will now be played the following September.

The European Tour has confirmed that the qualification process for Team Europe for the 43rd Ryder Cup has been frozen until the beginning of the new year, with all points earned to date on both the European and World Points lists continuing to count.

Officials are looking into the potential for 'points multipliers' to be introduced during the 2021 season to ensure the performances of in-form players are given the relevant importance.

This year's Ryder Cup has reportedly been postponed to 2021 and next year's Presidents Cup moved back by a year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The biennial Ryder Cup, contested by the US and Europe, was scheduled to take place from September 25-27 at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin, but will now be played in the same time frame next year.

The 2022 event to be held in Rome will also be pushed back by a year, ESPN reported citing a source who was not authorised to speak publicly.

The television channel says an official announcement will be made on Wednesday.

The PGA Tour and PGA of America are yet to comment on the report.

With fans unlikely to be able to attend the Ryder Cup if it went ahead this year, several prominent players, including world No.1 Rory McIlroy, had urged officials to postpone it.

The Presidents Cup, a clash between the United States and an Internationals team minus Europe, had been scheduled for September 30-October 3 at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, North Carolina next year.

That has now been moved to 2022, according to ESPN.

The events will then continue to alternate every other year.

The women's British Open will go ahead without fans in August at Royal Troon, the R&A said on Tuesday.

The tournament from August 20-23 will be the first women's major to take place this year.

"The AIG Women's British Open is important to the success of women's professional golf," R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers said in a statement.

"We have been working closely with our title sponsor AIG, Visit Scotland, Royal Troon and our key advisors to find a way for the Championship to be played safely this year.

"We believe that playing the Women's British Open is a significant step for players whose playing opportunities have been severely impacted this year."

The first women's golf major scheduled for this year, the Evian Championship from August 6-9 in France, was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic that forced the cancellation of the men's British Open at Sandwich.

The women's British Open will enforce strict health and safety protocols including the creation of a bio-secure zone at the Scottish course. Only personnel essential to the Championship's on-site operations, namely players, caddies, officials, and staging staff, will be inside the zone.

The qualifying events for the major have already been cancelled and the field will comprise the leading players from the Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings as well as successful players from recent tournaments staged on leading Tours.

Next week's PGA Memorial Tournament, which was supposed to be the first since the US tour's return from its three-month COVID-19 hiatus to include spectators, will instead be held without fans.

The Jack Nicklaus-hosted event at Muirfield Village Golf Club had received state approval in mid-June to have limited attendance and planned to allow 20 per cent maximum capacity on the property for the July 16-19 event.

But the PGA Tour announced on Monday that due to the rapidly changing dynamics of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Memorial would instead go ahead as its sixth consecutive tournament without fans.

"Given the broader challenges communities are facing due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we need to stay focused on the No. 1 priority for our return to golf -- the health and safety of all involved," PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan said in a news release.

"While this was a difficult decision, it was one made collectively, and we are appreciative of the process undertaken to this point that will allow us to welcome on-site fans when the time is right."

The number of US coronavirus deaths has exceeded 130,000, following a surge of new cases. Nationally, cases are nearing three million, the highest tally in the world and double the infections reported in the second most-affected country Brazil.

The Memorial will feature some of the biggest names in golf as world No.1 Rory McIlroy and five-times major winner Phil Mickelson are among those who have already committed to the event ahead of Friday's deadline.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said the decision to close the course to the general public was the right one.

"I know it was a difficult decision to make, but the organisers of the Memorial Tournament have put the health and safety of players and fans first," said DeWine.

Since the PGA Tour returned to action in June, it has held spectator-free tournaments in Texas, South Carolina, Connecticut and Michigan. Muirfield will host this week's Workday Charity Open, which will also be closed to the general public.

Six PGA Tour players have tested positive for COVID-19 through the first four tournaments.

Bryson DeChambeau pounded protein shakes and lifted iron to transform his body, adding 15 kilograms of mass, and changed his game to put a premium on power.

The plan is working.

With jaw-dropping drives and some clutch putts, DeChambeau won the Rocket Mortgage Classic by three strokes in Detroit on Sunday for his first victory of the season and sixth overall.

He became the first PGA Tour player since 2004 to lead a tournament in driving distance, along with shots gained off the tee and putting.

"This is a little emotional for me because I did do something a little different," the 26-year-old DeChambeau said.

"I changed my body, changed my mindset in the game and I was able to accomplish a win while playing a completely different style of golf. And, it's pretty amazing to see that. I hope it's an inspiration to a lot of people."

DeChambeau shot a seven-under 65 at Detroit Golf Club, birdieing four of the first seven holes and closing with three straight. He finished at a career-best 23-under 265.

Matthew Wolff (71) was second. He started the day with a three-shot lead and hurt his chances with five bogeys over his first 10 holes.

Kevin Kisner (66) finished another stroke back as part of a relatively weak field that continued to trend of exceptional play since the PGA Tour restarted.

"The level of play on tour in these first four weeks has been incredible, cuts at 4 and 5 under every week," Kisner said.

DeChambeau came into the week with six straight top-eight finishes and was the only player with top 10s in the first three events after the restart from the coronavirus pandemic.

He won for the first time since the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in November 2018.

"He (DeChambeau) understands what is the key to gaining the biggest advantage and that's distance, and mega distance," Kisner said. "He just has too much time on his hands. He needs to start getting married and having kids and feel like the rest of us."

DeChambeau's power was on full display in the Motor City with drives that went 351 yards on average after looking like he might swing out of his spikes.

When DeChambeau was on the tee box at the 399-yard, par-4 13th, he waited for the next group to leave the green before hitting his drive so that he didn't hit any fellow competitors.

"No, I've never done that," he acknowledged. "I really could have gotten there."

Matthew Wolff said he got a sense of calm from an ice cream truck on Saturday as he grabbed a three-shot lead in the PGA Tour's Rocket Mortgage Classic.

He shot his second straight 8-under 64 at Detroit Golf Club to move into position for his second PGA Tour victory.

Wolff said it felt like he made a birdie every time he heard the ice cream truck make its way around a course that was closed to spectators in a bid to stem the spread of COVID-19.

"I have to give credit to the ice cream truck that was circling the property," the 21-year-old American said.

"I'm not joking, actually."

Wolff, who is 19-under 197 after three rounds, made a 35-foot putt on the 138-yard for birdie on the 5th hole, his second of nine birdies.

"I heard the ice cream truck and I'm like, 'I have a good feeling about this,'" Wolff said.

"Just had that little like ice cream truck song in my head.

"I think that helped me just not think about the speed or the line or anything, just keep my head free."

Ryan Armour and world No.10 Bryson DeChambeau are tied for second at 16-under after both shot rounds of 67.

Wolff finished the day with an eagle, nine birdies, five pars and three bogeys.

Armour played well and was in a great mood on the front nine while making five birdies to hold the outright lead.

"It felt like the front nine was in cruise control, I had looks all the time," he said.

"Then the back nine, it got a little squirrelly."

DeChambeau birdied four of his last six holes and pumped his right fist after making a 12-foot birdie putt at 18.

Troy Merritt (67), Mark Hubbard (69), Seamus Power (69) and Chris Kirk (70) were tied for fourth at 14-under.

Overnight co-leader Webb Simpson (71) had a bogey on his final hole to sit six strokes behind in a group sharing eighth.

Rhein Gibson, the only Australian to make the cut, jumped up 15 places to tied-40th with a 4-under 68 lifting him to 9-under par.

Major winners Adam Scott and Hannah Green are gearing up to return to their respective US golf tours after spending several months giving Australian juniors a rare insight to the professional game.

Both Scott and Green returned to Australia during golf's shutdown due to the coronavirus, where they have played casual rounds with aspiring juniors, amateurs and professionals.

Former world No.1 Scott waited out the PGA Tour's 90-day hiatus at his home on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, regularly teeing up with amateurs such as US college player Bailey Arnott and rising star Elvis Smylie, as well as local club professionals and fellow tour players such as European Tour winner Lucas Herbert.

Smylie, the 2019 Australian Boys Champion, says two rounds with 2013 Masters winner Scott have inspired him to elevate his game before turning professional.

"It was a massive experience for me and I've taken a lot away from it," Smylie, the son of former Wimbledon doubles champion Liz, told AAP.

"He has a strong, penetrating ball flight that didn't get knocked around by the wind and I know I have to develop that to compete with the pros."

Scott has returned to his base in Switzerland and will soon head to the US to resume his hot season at the World Golf Championships event in Memphis, before the US PGA Championship in California, the first major of the year.

The 39-year-old won the Tiger Woods-hosted Genesis Invitational in February before the US Tour was shut down in March, but is confident of picking up where he left off.

"I know the recipe of getting back to that level," Scott told AAP. "I'm going to be fresh and I'm confident I can come out and play some competitive golf.

"There are three majors left this year and someone has to win them."

Green, who broke through with a major win at last year's US Women's PGA Championship in addition to another LPGA Tour victory, has also been passing on her knowledge to junior golfers.

Perth-based Green and pro golfer boyfriend Jarryd Felton recently played a charity match with Junior World Championship runner-up, Maddison Hinson-Tolchard, and Western Australia junior Josiah Gilbert.

Green also started a group Facebook message with junior members at her home club Mount Lawley GC and has been playing weekly rounds with them.

"It's a nice reminder of where you came from and a way to give back," Green told AAP.

Green, 23, will play several pro-am tournaments in Australia before making her return at next month's Ladies Scottish Open and the Women's British Open at Royal Troon.

"Seeing some of the positive COVID-19 tests on the men's PGA Tour makes me a little nervous, but overall I'm really excited to play in Scotland and then the LPGA Tour in the US," Green said.

Australia's Rhein Gibson is in the mix after the opening round of the PGA's Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit.

The Victorian shot a five-under 67 on Thursday to be two shots behind American leaders Doc Redman, Scott Stallings and Kevin Kisner.

Gibson is tied for 11th after marking six birdies with a lone bogey on the par-four 13th.

But he recovered quickly to birdie the 14th and 17th to join a group of 14 headlined by five-times PGA Tour winner Rickie Fowler.

Former world No.1 Jason Day is the next best Australian.

The Queenslander is three behind Gibson after mixing five birdies with three bogeys.

Cameron Davis, Aaron Baddeley and Cameron Percy are a shot further back on 71.

Redman, runner-up at last year's Mortgage Classic and still chasing a first PGA Tour win, made a quiet start at the Detroit Golf Club, picking up a single birdie on his outward nine.

But after making his only bogey of the round at the 10th, the 22-year-old caught fire by carding birdies the rest of the way.

Redman said he wasn't intimidated by playing alongside the world's best despite his age.

"I've got a lot of experience and I feel very comfortable around the guys and around the courses," he said.

"I'm just navigating my way around the PGA Tour."

Stallings made a birdie-bogey start before notching seven birdies.

Kisner completed a blemish-free round, with five of his seven birdies coming on the front nine.

Lurking one back on six-under 66 were Americans Peter Malnati and Chase Seiffert, and Argentine Emiliano Grillo.

World No.6 Webb Simpson, the highest-ranked player in the field, returned a four-under 68 to sit three off the pace.

Simpson won last month's RBC Heritage in Hilton Head, South Carolina but pulled out of the Travellers Championship after his daughter, who later tested negative, showed symptoms of COVID-19.

The fourth PGA Tour event since the season returned from its coronavirus shutdown, the Classic is being played without fans.

American Harris English has become the fifth player on the PGA Tour to test positive for COVID-19.

English, 30, was set to participate in this week's Rocket Mortgage Classic at Detroit Golf Club but was forced to withdraw from the event after testing positive during the pre-tournament screening process this week.

English joins compatriots Denny McCarthy, Cameron Champ and Nick Watney and South African Dylan Frittelli on the list of PGA Tour players who have tested positive in recent weeks since the Tour resumed earlier this month.

"While it's disappointing to receive this news, as I feel healthy, I'm pleased that the new safety protocols we have in place worked this week," English, who is set to self-isolate, said in a statement.

"I fully supported the Tour's new rule of not allowing anyone on the tournament grounds until testing negative, as protecting others in the field and everyone affiliated with the tournament and the community should be the No. 1 priority as a result of a positive test.

"I appreciate the Tour's support and I look forward to competing again after I'm fully recovered."

English did not compete last week at the Travelers Championship while Champ tested positive at a pre-tournament screening.

McCarthy tested positive and withdrew after the opening round of the event in Cromwell, Connecticut while Frittelli missed the cut.

The Rocket Mortgage Classic begins on Thursday.

A delay for lightning could not derail Dustin Johnson as he secured victory at the Travelers Championship for his first win on the PGA Tour in 16 months.

Johnson shot a closing round of three-under 67 to finish the week at 19-under 261 and claim his 21st PGA title to mark his 13th consecutive season with at least one victory.

"I'm definitely proud of myself for continuing the streak... it was a long time between wins though - hopefully it won't be that long for the next one," Johnson said in a televised interview.

Kevin Streelman was second a shot behind Johnson after a 67 while Will Gordon (64) and Canadian Mackenzie Hughes (67) shared third at 17-under-par.

Former world No.1 Johnson narrowly avoided disaster on the 15th at TPC River Highlands, when he was forced to remove his shoes and stand in a pond to hit his ball, which landed in the damp turf next to the water.

He made par, only to bogey on the next hole, after a brief inclement weather delay at the tournament played with no fans due to COVID-19 restrictions.

"Even though there's no fans here, you can still feel the pressure," Johnson, the 2016 US Open champion, said.

"The rain delay didn't help very much because then I actually had time to think about everything."

Johnson was tied for 79th after the opening round on Thursday, the lowest first-round position by a winner in the tournament's history.

Best of the Australians was Jason Day (68) in a share of 46th after birdies on the 16th and 18th on Sunday while Marc Leishman (72) tied for 58th and Greg Chalmers (73) finished 67th.

Brendon Todd, who had been in the lead after a career low nine-under 61 in the third round, self-destructed on the 12th with a triple bogey and failed to recover.

His five-over 75 left him a share of 11th in a group that included world No.1 Rory McIlroy (67).

"There's been some really good stuff in there, but then just some really stupid mistakes," McIlroy said.

There were seven COVID-19-related withdrawals from the Connecticut event and two positive tests among players, while Day requested a test before his third round - the result of which was negative.

Subsequently the PGA Tour is making some tweaks to its coronavirus policies with players, caddies and anyone else considered "inside the bubble" having to test negative before being allowed on the grounds of the Detroit Golf Club for the next event starting on Thursday.