PGA Tour’s Plan for the Final Round at Pebble Beach
Will the Pebble Beach Pro-Am Finish 72 Holes?
Wyndham Clark heads into the fourth round at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am with a one-shot lead over Ludvig Aberg, but the severe weather forecast raises concerns about completing all 72 holes on Sunday.
According to PGA Tour Chief Referee Gary Young, “Our regulations say we need to make every effort to play 72 holes, which includes playing on Monday. Right now that’s our thinking. We would then probably, if we can’t play tomorrow, we would come in first thing on Monday morning.”
However, the current soggy condition of the golf course and the potential rainfall of up to 4.5″ combined with high winds above 40 mph and gusts upward of 60 mph pose a challenge. The National Weather Service also issued a high wind warning until Sunday 10 p.m., a high surf advisory until Monday 4 a.m., and a flood watch until Monday 10 a.m.
In anticipation of the severe weather, the PGA Tour has developed a plan for the final round:
Tee Times and Assessing Conditions
Tee times for the final round will start at 7:45 a.m. PST.
PGA Tour rules officials will arrive at the course at 5 a.m. to assess the conditions and make a decision on any delay.
Players will be notified of a delay, if required, at 5:15 a.m.
If there’s a delay, players won’t receive another update until 9:30 a.m.
The Tour aims to avoid starting before noon if a delay occurs, providing more time to evaluate weather conditions.
Possible Completion Scenarios
-For the final round to be completed at all, it must start by 10:15 a.m. on Monday. If uncertain about completion by that time, the event will be shortened to 54 holes.
Monday’s forecast also includes a 60 percent chance of rain, thunderstorms, and wind gusts up to 22 mph.
Prior to the event, the tournament organizers have taken precautions, such as removing scoreboards and prohibiting spectators on Wednesday due to high winds. The Tour has also adjusted green speeds to accommodate the expected strong winds.
It’s worth noting that weather disruptions are not new to the Pebble Beach event. Last year, play was suspended on Saturday, leading to a Monday finish. The event has been shortened to 54 holes six times in the past, most recently in 2009 when Dustin Johnson emerged as the victor.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
What are the current weather conditions at Pebble Beach?
As per the National Weather Service, Pebble Beach is expecting up to 4.5″ of rainfall, sustained winds above 40 mph, and gusts upward of 60 mph. High wind warning, high surf advisory, and flood watch are also in effect.
When will the final round tee times start?
Tee times for the final round are scheduled to begin at 7:45 a.m. PST.
What happens if there is a delay?
If a delay occurs, players will be notified at 5:15 a.m., and no further updates will be provided until 9:30 a.m. The Tour aims to avoid starting before noon if a delay occurs.
What are the possible scenarios for completing the final round?
For the final round to be completed, it must start by 10:15 a.m. on Monday. Otherwise, the event will be shortened to 54 holes.
How has the PGA Tour prepared for the severe weather?
The PGA Tour has been proactive in preparing for rough weather conditions. Scoreboards have been removed, and spectators were barred from the course on Wednesday due to high winds. Green speeds have also been adjusted to accommodate the expected strong winds.
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