(REUTERS) - The Masters, which brings together the world's best golfers in April for the year's first major, has been postponed because of concerns about the coronavirus, Augusta National Golf Club said on Friday (March 13).

People from all over the world attend the Masters at Augusta National, which this year was scheduled for April 9-12, and the club said it hopes the postponement will allow it to host the event safely at a later date.

Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley said in a statement: "Unfortunately, the ever-increasing risks associated with the widespread coronavirus Covid-19 have led us to a decision that undoubtedly will be disappointing to many, although I am confident is appropriate under these unique circumstances."

The decision comes a day after the PGA Tour cancelled this week's Players Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, after one round and all events through April 5.

Ridley also said the Augusta National Women's Amateur and the three-pronged junior skills competition known as the Drive, Chip and Putt competition that all led into the Masters have also been postponed.

He said: "Ultimately, the health and well-being of everyone associated with these events and the citizens of the Augusta community led us to this decision."

"We hope this postponement puts us in the best position to safely host the Masters and our amateur events at some later date."

Tiger Woods is the defending Masters champion after snapping an 11-year wait for his 15th Major title when he came from behind to win by one shot last April.

Last week, Ridley said the Masters would proceed as scheduled and that precautions would be established to ensure the safety of everyone following the coronavirus outbreak.