The Golf Watch

Another beautiful forecast for the Tour championship!

Windy conditions set up for exciting final round

I was watching the Spring Pre Game show earlier, and couldn't help but notice how windy it is at PGA National.  If the players thought the course was playing hard on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, they will be in for quite a treat today.  Just ask Tim Herron.  Lumpy is in the clubhouse after shooting a final round score of 8-over 78.  If any of the leaders shoot level par today, that could seal the deal. 

Heavy fog could cause problems this week

The heavy fog at this week's Northern Trust Open isn't letting up, and Alex Miceli writes on golfweek.com that we should expect delays:

If Wednesday morning is any indication, the Northern Trust Open may be a weather-delayed mess. Fog has engulfed Riveria Country Club, and though the pro-am is taking place a tournament could not.

The tee shot off the par-5 first hole is akin to hitting into a dark tunnel. You can see just 50 yards in front of you, and can’t see the ball land.

Fog is a frequent problem on the West Coast, but if it continues Thursday and Friday mornings, the ensuing delays would almost certainly force a cut on Saturday.

Weather could play a factor tomorrow at Torrey Pines

Kirk Kenney writes on the San Diego Union-Tribune's blog:

If you're planning to come to Sunday's final round of the Buick Invitational, bring an umbrella. And a book. It could be a long day and full of delays.

An inch to two inches of rain are expected from Saturday evening until Sunday evening at Torrey Pines, with strong winds and a chance of thunderstorms.  This means that there could be a Monday finish, which presents a problem for third round leader Tiger Woods, who is committed to play in next week's Dubai Desert Classic in the United Arab Emirates.  Don't be surprised if Tiger withdraws from Dubai if the final round isn't completed on Sunday.

Doubtful that final round at Ginn sur Mer Classic will be completed today

It took a combined six hours for the leaders to finish their third round yesterday and early this morning at the Ginn sur Mer Classic.  With the leaders teeing off today at 1:50 p.m. ET, it is highly unlikely that there will be a Sunday finish.  PGA Tour tournament director Slugger White told The Golf Channel, "We are going to try to play as long as we can today…If we just get lucky, we could play up until dark tonight and maybe just have a few holes to play in the morning first thing."  Kelly Tilghman told Kraig Kann on the Sprint Pre Game, "It is highly unlikely they will finish Kraig, and that is a sad statement…"  Golf Channel analyst Peter Oosterhuis added, "It was unbelievable.  Yesterday afternoon we were watching that final group play their opening 9 holes, and it was just taking forever, with the lifting in place, the distance between greens and tees, and they didn’t seem to be rushing did they?"

Fires in Southern California should not affect golf tournaments

Fires in Southern California have forced hundreds of thousands to evacuate their homes.  On Monday, many thought that this would affect some of the upcoming golf tournaments in the area. But Brian Hewitt reports on thegolfchannel.com that the sites of the Nationwide Tour Championship,the 2008 US Open, and the Target World Challenge should not be in danger.  The Nationwide Tour Championship is next week and Hewitt writes, " Tom Wilson, the tournament director of next week's Nationwide Tour Championship told me he did not think the Barona Creek venue in Lakeside had to be changed...Wilson said the fires there have gotten within a mile of the golf course, but no damage has been reported."  David Fay, the USGA's executive director, told Hewitt the following about Torrey Pines, the site of the 2008 US Open: "At this point, Torrey Pines Courses are not in any immediate fire danger but they are enshrouded in dark, smoky clouds. Our folks on the scene couldn't see the Pacific yesterday from the clubhouse."  As for Tiger's tournament, the Target World Challenge, Allison Curdt, Sherwood Country Club's head teaching professional, said that, while smoke is visible, they have been able to keep the course open.   

Tee times moved up, inclement weather expected in Chicago

With inclement weather expected for three of the four days at the BMW Championship in Chicago, tournament officials have moved up the tee times for both Thursday and Friday to 8 a.m.  Ed Sherman of the Chicago Tribune writes, "It was a rough day all around for the BMW Championship. Not only did it lose Phil Mickelson, the tournament also lost its late starting times..."  The earlier tee times will allow players to complete their rounds by 3 p.m. on both Thursday and Friday. 

Inclement weather moves up tee times at Firestone

Tee times have been moved up at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational due to the forecast of inclement weather for tomorrow in Akron, Ohio.  Players will go off in threesomes on the 1st and 10th holes, beginning at 7:30 a.m.  Rory Sabbatini, Tiger Woods, and Kenny Perry will tee off at 10:10 a.m. Television times will remain the same, but will not be aired live. 

Another weather delay at Women's U.S. Open

Once again, the horns have sounded, and play has been suspended at the Women's U.S. Open.  The USGA will determine in the next half hour when players will be able to resume play.  First round leader Angela Park has not started her second round yet. 

Weather delay at Women's US Open

Play has been suspended at the Women's US Open at Pine Needles due to inclement weather.  ESPN is currently airing third round action from last year's Open at Newport Country Club. 

UPDATE: Play resumed at 6:23 PM ET.