The PGA Tour’s Wyndham Championship will doubtless start on Friday, August 9.
Tropical Storm Debby pressured officers to initially delay and at last postpone play on Thursday. Climate consultants predicted rainfall might attain 4-6 inches at Sedgefield Nation Membership.
The Tour introduced Wednesday afternoon that followers wouldn’t be allowed on the property on Thursday as a consequence of harmful climate circumstances. That replace stated that play would proceed so long as circumstances allowed.
Nonetheless, there was a 90% probability of rain for Thursday with winds of 15 to twenty mph with gusts upwards of 35 mph.
With a lot rain anticipated for Thursday, why did the PGA Tour solely stop followers from coming to the occasion? Why would they not postpone the spherical at that second?
Certain, climate modifications on a regular basis—tropical storms do change paths.
Not this time, although — Debby got here barreling in and compelled the PGA Tour to situation an announcement at 5 a.m. on Thursday.
“The primary spherical of the Wyndham Championship is delayed as a consequence of Tropical Storm Debby. The primary tee time won’t be earlier than 3 p.m. ET Thursday,” the PGA Tour communications group posted on X at 5 a.m. Thursday morning.
The primary spherical of the Wyndham Championship is delayed as a consequence of Tropical Storm Debby. The primary tee time won’t be earlier than 3 p.m. ET Thursday.
— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) August 8, 2024
Six hours later, they up to date the general public once more to postpone the primary spherical, stating, “Up to date first-round beginning instances will comply with.” They didn’t give a time, although.
Their article concerning the delay, which included all of those updates, acknowledged that they might determine their subsequent transfer at 6 p.m. ET.
The primary spherical of the Wyndham Championship is postponed to Friday, August 9, as a consequence of Tropical Storm Debby. Up to date first-round beginning instances will comply with.
— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) August 8, 2024
These two statements are odd for just a few causes.
The primary is that they refused to permit followers on the property as a result of they knew the storm was on its approach. Why did they not embrace the golf? The gamers’ security is essential too.
Secondly, at 5 a.m. this morning, it was evident that the rain was right here to remain, however the PGA Tour officers selected to attend till 11 a.m. to make a ultimate resolution. This example is simply the newest occasion during which they didn’t think about the climate, and it brought about some delay.
After all, it’s practically not possible to regulate nature or predict what is going to occur, but when the circumstances are too harmful for followers to be there, why would skilled athletes play?
Tropical Storm Debby was not a shock. It got here throughout Georgia and Florida final weekend with flood-like rains. Tour officers might have prepped higher for the climate.
There’s additionally an 80% probability of rain on Friday, so relying on how that pans out, the event might not begin then.
Will there be sufficient time for the PGA Tour to finish 72 holes by Sunday and even Monday?
How will this have an effect on the FedEx Cup race? Many gamers depend on this week to assist safe a spot inside that Prime 70, and now there’s a delay. What occurs if they can’t play the occasion in any respect? Will they lengthen the Prime 70 to a bigger quantity so gamers near that line can tee it up on the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis?
Keep tuned for extra information on the common season finale for the PGA Tour.
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By means of. For extra golf protection, comply with us @_PlayingThrough on all main social platforms. You may as well comply with her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @golf_girl_sl.