Rain has been a huge issue at this week’s DP World Tour events, with players not only having to contend with delays but also having to rethink golf courses.
Rain halted play during the third round at the Royal Johannesburg Club in Johannesburg, South Africa, forcing the Alfred Dunhill Championship to be decided after just 54 holes.
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But the water also forced the tournament director to make a decision on the flooded sixth hole. This hole is normally a par 5, but is currently played as a 177 yard par 3.
About half the players got off the first tee Saturday before play was halted. Tournament director David Williams said the continued rain forced a difficult decision.
“It’s tough when you have to do this, but we suspended twice this morning and the course quickly became unplayable. It’s been raining all day, especially on the lower holes, and it looks like more rain is coming, so we made the decision to suspend the third round. We’ll restart tomorrow at 6:30 a.m.,” Williams said.
While he is chasing Spain’s Eugenio Chacala, who has a two-shot lead, Sunday is also a race against time. There will be time for all athletes to take to the course, but more severe weather is expected later on Sunday.
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“The good thing is the players know what’s going on. They know the tournament is beyond 54 holes. They can go back, they can rest, they can practice better, they can do whatever they want,” Williams said. “The idea, or should I say hope, is that the rain should stop around 7 o’clock tonight and it should clear up until about 12:30 tomorrow. We’re planning to restart the last group tomorrow around 7:20, and if possible we should be able to finish around 12:30.”
“And around that time, the weather will start to deteriorate again, and rain and thunderstorms are in the forecast for tomorrow afternoon. So we’re going to try to make a good 54-hole tournament.”
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: Deluge of DP World Tour events forces changes to holes
