Augusta National Golf Club chairman Fred Ridley says the club hopes the donation will help address the many challenges brought about by the coronavirus pandemic ©Getty Images

Augusta National Golf Club has announced it is donating $2 million (£1.6 million/€1.8 million) in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

In a statement, the club said it was partnering with the Community Foundation for the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA), which helps distribute charity donations from the club and the Masters Tournament.

Half the money will go to Augusta University to support the expansion of its COVID-19 testing capabilities, while the other $1 million (£808,000/€914,000) will be gifted to the CSRA COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund.

"It is our hope these gifts will help address the many challenges brought about by the coronavirus throughout the city of Augusta and the greater region," Augusta National Golf Club chairman Fred Ridley said.

"We believe Augusta National has an important responsibility to support and protect the community who has so generously and consistently supported us for many years."

Augusta University President Brooks Keel added: "This gift is an immediate and important contribution to the expansion of our COVID-19 screening and testing efforts.

"It provides us with needed resources to limit the spread of the virus through quicker identification and treatment.

"There is no doubt that because of this gift, many lives will be saved."

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set-up the Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund to help tackle the coronavirus outbreak ©Getty Images
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set-up the Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund to help tackle the coronavirus outbreak ©Getty Images

This year’s Masters, scheduled to have taken place from April 9 to 12 at Augusta National Golf Club, was postponed last month due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Yesterday, the coronavirus death toll in the United States passed the figure reported in China, where the outbreak began.

At least 3,400 have died.

According to a tally from Johns Hopkins University, the number of recorded cases stands at over 175,000, more than any other country.

Another sporting body to have pledged its support to the fight against coronavirus is the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

The BCCI has announced it will contribute $6.81 million (£5.5 million/€6.22 million) to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund to help tackle the outbreak.

As of today, India has reported 1,238 active cases of COVID-19.

Thirty-five people have died of the infection.