It appears the PGA Tour has been struck with a setback yet again! The first round of the Cognizant Classic was delayed a while back following unfavorable conditions at the PGA National Members Club in Palm Beach Gardens. However, it appears the second day has been hit with a similar complication, as well as the play was suspended for the same.
An announcement was shared by the X handle of PGA Tour Communications not too long ago, mentioning how the play was called off at 6:22 p.m. “due to darkness at the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches.” Adding on, the tweet divulged, “R2 will resume Saturday at 7 a.m.” Continuing with the announcement, the post disclosed, “The 36-hole cut will be made after the round ends and players will be repaired. R3 will begin at approximately 8:15 a.m. in threesomes off No. 1.”
Play was suspended at 6:22 p.m. ET due to darkness at the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches. R2 will resume Saturday at 7 a.m.
The 36-hole cut will be made after the round ends and players will be re-paired. R3 will begin at approximately 8:15 a.m. in threesomes off No. 1.
— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) March 1, 2024
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Interestingly, as the round came to be suspended, a total of 10 professionals, including the likes of Max Greyserman, Rico Hoey, Jacob Bridgeman, Justin Suh, Jorge Campillo, Chan Kim, and four others, had yet to finish their second day. Meanwhile, as the day came to a close, Bud Cauley was leading the scoreboard with figures of 11-under, with Austin Eckroat and Garrick Higgo closely following him at T2.
The 33-year-old Cauley, after dishing out a 66 (-4) with seven birdies and two bogeys on Thursday, managed to card out a flawless six-under 65 with six birdies on the second day of play. This helped him to jump from the eighth position to the topmost one, by propelling past the likes of Eckroat, Kevin Yu, and others.
Chris Kirk, the defending champion of the event, was spotted at T24 after the two rounds with numbers of 67-70 carding a total of 5-under. As for Rory McIlroy, a 67 (-4) on both days has helped him register a total of 8-under and allowed him to place himself in the sixth position along with seven others, including Shane Lowry. Well, the Northern Irishman would need to up his game if he is to beat the field of golfers, amid the unfavorable environmental conditions that plague the events on the Jay Monahan-led circuit.
The PGA Tour – weather conundrum
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The men’s circuit has recently been hit hard owing to the changes in the weather conditions that take place during a tournament. From the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am to the WM Phoenix Open, the PGA Tour has witnessed weather playing the role of a villain. The former event saw it end after 54 holes, while the latter saw destructive weather similar to what was witnessed at the previous signature event.
ALSO READ: ‘Best Intentions’: Chris Kirk Has Absolute Trust in Jay Monahan and PGA Tour’s Widely Debated Model
Andrew Putnam, a professional on the circuit, shared a video on his X handle back then showcasing how the greens were similar to a river that was flowing due to the immense amount of rainfall and hail. Nevertheless, the tournament did see itself through to the end, unlike the previous one, where Wyndham Clark emerged victorious after three days of play.
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Fortunately, coming to the current event, it appears there would only be a delay at the most, unlike the one in Pebble Beach. Moreover, the fans would be hoping to see it in full glory as well.