The renowned AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament faced significant delays on its final round on Sunday due to extreme weather conditions. The prestigious PGA Tour event, known for its “signature event” status and its substantial $20 million prize fund, saw a postponement of at least four hours as officials navigated the complications caused by a saturated course and impending high winds.
Wyndham Clark remained in the spotlight after achieving a record-breaking 60-two-putted birdie on the penultimate hole on Saturday, securing a slim one-shot advantage over the competition, namely Ludvig Aberg. With the final round’s continuation in jeopardy, Clark stood on the brink of being declared the winner.
Multiple delays disrupted Sunday’s progression, with the PGA Tour’s chief referee, Gary Young, emphasizing the commitment to completing a full 72-hole game regardless of the tournament’s unique setting and field size. However, the combination of a saturated course, where a plethora of balls had been swallowed during the week, and the threat of high winds reaching 60 mph (96 kph), cast doubt over the final round’s feasibility.
Despite the small amount of rainfall overnight, the possibility of further rain on Monday posed additional challenges. PGA Tour officials remained tentative about extending play into Monday without confidence in concluding the event, potentially reducing the tournament to a 54-hole result, a scenario not seen at Pebble Beach since 2009.
The postponement and potential reduction of the tournament put Wyndham Clark in a favorable position to secure victory, with conditions suggesting that completing the tournament could prove unmanageable.
___
For more golf news, visit https://apnews.com/hub/golf.
FAQs
- What caused the delay at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am?
- What are the consequences of the delay?
- When was the last time Pebble Beach had a 54-hole winner?
- How rare is a 54-hole PGA Tour event?
The final round was delayed due to a soaked course from overnight rain and the forecast of high winds that could potentially be hazardous.
If the final round is not completed due to weather conditions, the tournament could be declared after 54 holes, making Wyndham Clark the winner.
Pebble Beach last had a 54-hole winner in 2009 when Dustin Johnson took the title due to inclement weather.
A 54-hole outcome is uncommon on the PGA Tour. The last 54-hole event was the Zurich Classic in New Orleans in 2016.
Conclusion
The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am final round faced severe and rare disruptions, placing Wyndham Clark in a potentially championship-clinching position without having to complete the full schedule of play. Weather continues to be a determinative factor in sports, and in this case, it has become the defining element of this famed golf event. Whether the tournament concludes with the full 72 holes or stands at 54, players, officials, and fans await the ultimate decision dictated by the challenging elements at the iconic Pebble Beach.