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2024 Wyndham Championship: How has storm Debby affected the format? How many rounds will there be?
As the tropical storm approached the mid-Atlantic, the PGA Tour and the organizers of the Wyndham Championship tournament had to make difficult decisions.
In the preview we provided a few days ago, we mentioned the potential challenges that the organizers of the 2024 Wyndham Championship could encounter due to severe weather forecasts. Reports indicated the likelihood of strong winds and heavy rainfall.
Due to the concerning situation on Wednesday, the tour announced that no fans would be allowed on the grounds on Thursday for safety reasons. Subsequently, the entire Thursday round was suspended, and the organizers monitored the weather to decide on the next steps.
The golf course will be wet even if the storm passes and the weather becomes beautiful. For instance, Augusta National has excellent drainage and can handle significant rain, but every course differs. In Greensboro, the course is located in a little valley, and the organizers use three or four holes as early indicators to decide when to suspend play.
Did the storm Debby affect the format, and how many rounds of golf will we see this weekend?
It has already affected the format; according to the organizers, the start of the 2024 Wyndham Championship has been postponed from Thursday, August 7th, to Friday, August 8th. Indeed, there is the distinct possibility that the Tour’s last event before the FedEx Cup Playoffs will be significantly shortened in an effort to compensate for the weather.
The tournament is now scheduled to start at 8:50 a.m. ET at the Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, North Carolina. However, heavy rain may delay the start until Saturday, impacting players aiming for a top 70 spot in the FedEx Cup standings.
According to the PGA Tour’s handbook, the priority is to complete 72 holes, then 54 holes, and finally 36 holes. Play will not extend past Tuesday unless the event can be rescheduled and replayed in its entirety. While forecasts suggest improving weather from Saturday onward, heavy rain will likely waterlog the course, affecting fans and golfers.