Soaring Temperatures at $20,000,000 PGA Tour Event Forces Caddie To Make a Bold Move

Besides the lucrative first prize, the players at the St Jude Championship are also fighting for prestige and honor. If they clear this week then only will they be able to move to the next playoffs, and ultimately to the Ryder Cup.

But challenging their every move on the ground is the burning heat of Memphis. The sudden rising temperature is causing much trouble for players. In fact the heat waves are so extreme that it caused a caddie to make a big decision at the event despite the high stakes.

Caddie suffers a heat stroke at the TPC Southwind

The temperature in Memphis, Tennessee has risen on Friday. Matter of fact it has risen so much that it is causing the players at TPC Southwind to drench with sweat. On Wednesday, the course received 2.15 inches of rainfall which made walking through the spongy and muddy course on Thursday a tough job.

But the worst came on Friday during the second round. By afternoon the temperature soared very high. And while everyone was suffering, the health of Harris English’s caddie, Eric Larson deteriorated. Larson was given immediate medical attention and treated with an IV.

Speaking about him Harris said, “Larson bent down to tie his shoe on the 11th hole the second hole and he kind of stood up like he was about to go down. I told him to take a knee. I grew up in south Georgia and this is the hottest, muggiest day I’ve ever had on the golf course.”

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Larson was replaced by a spectator and local club professional Andrew Argotsinger, and will join English on the ground on Saturday. But not just Larson, all players, and caddies are suffering in the heat.

Golfers flustered with heat the St Jude Championship

Other players are complaining about the sudden heat too. Lucas Glover said “Pretty warm. I didn’t get this wet in the shower this morning.” While Tom Kim said “It was tough. So hot out there, golly. It was so freaking hot.”

Jordan Spieth who is leading the event in the second position said, “If they gave us the option, I would have worn shorts, but I don’t think it would have made that much of a difference. “

According to an unwritten policy on the Tour, caddies are allowed to take their bibs off if heat index reaches 100 degrees but players have to follow the dress code.

The heat is surely testing everyone’s spirits at the game but the players are also competing with all their willpower. Currently in the lead is Lucas Glover who is maintaining a strong hold on the spot. He is followed by Spieth and Im Sung-jae on second and third.

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