Mother Nature could pour cold water in Wyndham Clark’s title defense hopes. In Charlottesville’s tranquil neighborhood of Quail Hollow, residents are preparing for stormy nights throughout the upcoming weekend. In fact, the region is under a heavy thunderstorm watch. The field size of the Wells Fargo Championship is less–69 after Ludvig Aberg’s withdrawal–but completion of rounds will hang on Mother Nature’s mood. 

The PGA Tour has released the weather forecast for the first round, and it certainly doesn’t look pretty, to say the least. Carry umbrellas to the course, but there is no guarantee it will save the day. 

Wells Fargo Championship braces for thunderstorms and heavy rains!  

The official statement from the Tour reads, “Another complex of rain and thunderstorms is forecast to arrive this morning with heaviest rain between 10 am-noon.” Peter Malnati will hit the first tee shot at 11 AM. The 8 AM local time update omits any further tee time changes. 

There is an 80% probability of rain between 11 AM – and 1 PM. Wind speed is expected to swing between 10-22 MPH. There is even a 60% chance of lightning. PGA Tour puts the rainfall projection at 0.5-1 inches.

However, it’s expected to cool off a bit around noon, with the chances of rain going down to 10% by 3 PM. The sunset time is 8:16 PM local time. Regardless, a delayed start might see the last few groups completing their rounds on Friday. But the cut day might also witness thunderstorms and rain (50% chance).

On a positive note, there is zero chance of rain on the weekend. But overcast conditions will prevail over the par-71, 7,538-yard layout on Saturday and Sunday as well. It comes as no surprise as the Tour has battled tough weather throughout the first five months. 

PGA Tour’s weather travails

In February, another signature event, AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am battled with severe weather. Wyndham Clark was declared the winner after the third round amidst rain and thunderstorms that pummeled Pebble Beach. Cognizant Classic, too, was struck by heavy rains. Last month, the first round of the Masters was delayed because of inclement weather. But the WM Phoenix Open was the worst hit, as it caused massive chaos in an already anarchic atmosphere. Notably, on the other side of the globe, LIV Golfers too battled thunderstorms last week in Singapore.

PGA Tour, though, has paired golfers in threesomes to speed up the round. Presumably, a wet Bermuda grass on the first two rounds means preferred lies might be in effect. Per PGA Tour’s color code, a yellow means heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected. Orange indicates that attendees should be ready to leave the premises, and red means the round is suspended, and spectators must leave the premises or take shelter.