Tough weather forecast for final round at Royal Portrush, tee times moved up
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PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland – The winner of the claret jug may have to endure the toughest weather The Open can offer.
There’s a chance that wind gusts could reach 35 mph Sunday afternoon. Even if the worst wind doesn’t come, it’s still expected to blow about 20 mph throughout the day. Rain is also forecast for the final round.
The ominous forecast has caused the R&A to move up final-round tee times. The final group will tee off at 1:47 p.m. local time.
"I know it's going to rain," said 54-hole leader Shane Lowry. "I know it's going to be difficult at times and I have just have to try and shoot the best score I can."
This Open has seen spells of wind and rain but it mostly has been played under relatively docile conditions, at least by Open standards. Many of Royal Portrush’s greens are elevated, as well, requiring aerial approaches. That will put players at the mercy of the wind.
“This golf course doesn't really give you the option of running golf balls up on a lot of greens unless you hit a really low and really hot one,” said Rickie Fowler, who’s 8 under. “It benefits it if you can control it through the air. But you start talking with moisture and water on the face and on the golf ball you start losing control there because you can't spin it as much.
“It should be interesting. That's where it kind of gets fun.”