The rankings are calculated using results from the last 24 months, but with no new tournaments being played to replace those that would otherwise drop out of the window used, the rankings will stay as they were for the week ending on March 15 or March 16.

This is significant for the Olympics as places at Tokyo 2020 are allocated based on the world rankings.

Up to four top-15 players can qualify per nation, or two in the top 60.

South Korea's Ko Jin-young is currently the women's number one, while Rory McIlroy - who has committed to playing for Ireland at Tokyo 2020 - is the men's number one.

There are six South Korean players in the women's top 15, while Americans occupy nine of the top 15 spots in the men's rankings.

The Olympic qualification period is set to come to an end on June 22 for men and June 29 for women.

"This has proven to be a fair and equitable system and despite the freeze, we believe that the system remains fair to all athletes who are vying for qualification to the Tokyo Olympic Games", said an International Golf Federation statement. 

"We have discussed this with the IOC [International Olympic Committee], which fully supports the decision."

The golfing calendar has been brought to a halt by the COVID-19 pandemic, with majors among the events postponed.

In the United States, the Masters and the PGA Championship - scheduled for April in Georgia and May in California - have both been postponed. 

The women's ANA Inspiration - also in California - was postponed too, with September 10 to 13 now announced as the new dates.