PGA TOURLeaderboardWatch + ListenNewsFedExCupSchedulePlayersStatsGolfbetSignature EventsComcast Business TOUR TOP 10Aon Better DecisionsDP World Tour Eligibility RankingsHow It WorksPGA Tour TrainingTicketsShopPGA TOURPGA TOUR ChampionsKorn Ferry TourPGA TOUR AmericasLPGA TOURDP World TourPGA TOUR University
Archive

Lightning puts damper on first round of Zurich Classic of New Orleans

2 Min Read

Latest

Lightning puts damper on first round of Zurich Classic of New Orleans


    Written by Mike McAllister @PGATOUR_MikeMc

    Lightning in the area will prevent the first round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans from being completed on Thursday.

    Play in the Fourballs first-round format was suspended at 10:41 a.m. ET due to heavy rains and lightning. Tournament officials were hoping to resume play in the early afternoon but more lightning and rain in the forecast pushed back those plans.

    Play isn’t expected to resume until at least 5:30 p.m ET, if at all. Half of the 80-man teams have started their first rounds, with just two teams having completed as many as 10 holes. Even if play resumes in the late afternoon, it’s doubtful teams with afternoon tee times will even begin their rounds. Sunset is at 8:34 p.m ET.

    “We’re going to play as much golf as we can today and finish up what we have to tomorrow,” said PGA TOUR rules official Gary Young of the first round. “Hopefully not into Saturday. But I think we’ll have enough time to get it done by tomorrow.”

    The team of Joel Dahmen-Brandon Harkins had the lead at 6-under through nine holes when play was suspended.

    Once the first round is completed, teams will then switch to the Foursomes format for the second round. With less shots being struck, the pace of play will speed up. After the cut to 35 teams and ties, the third round will revert back to Four-balls, then Foursomes again for the final round.

    Young doesn’t anticipate many adjustments in course set-up due to the weather.

    “You can be a little bit more aggressive with the set-up of the golf course certainly on this Four-ball format, and then when we get to the Foursomes where it’s alternate shot, maybe not as aggressive,” Young said.

    The sand-capped fairways at TPC Louisiana allow for adequate drainage, leaving the bunkers as the big issue to get the course in playing shape.

    “The biggest challenge we have ahead of us are the bunkers on the golf course,” Young said. “They’re pretty much full of water right now.”

    PGA TOUR
    Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceAccessibility StatementDo Not Sell or Share My Personal InformationCookie ChoicesSitemap

    Copyright © 2024 PGA TOUR, Inc. All rights reserved.

    PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions, and the Swinging Golfer design are registered trademarks. The Korn Ferry trademark is also a registered trademark, and is used in the Korn Ferry Tour logo with permission.