The WM Phoenix Open faced unexpected challenges as weather disturbances disrupted play, leaving golfers and spectators scrambling for cover at the TPC Scottsdale course. On Thursday, Feb. 8, heavy rain poured down on the Scottsdale, Arizona area, suspending play during the first round of the tournament. The deluge resulted in flooding across the course, rendering conditions unplayable. The situation prompted officials to halt proceedings at 12:32 p.m. local time.
Despite the setback, there was hope for resumption, with the first round scheduled to resume at 4 p.m., providing weather conditions permitted. However, earlier in the week, the event had already encountered trouble. On Wednesday, Feb. 7, hail and rain battered the WM Phoenix Open, causing disruptions during the tournament's pro-am event. This onslaught came just after a previous storm had interrupted the final round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Golfers, accustomed to the unpredictability of weather, sought refuge wherever they could find it, darting into tents, tunnels, the clubhouse, and even the cart barn. Andrew Putnam, capturing the intensity of the moment, shared a video of the falling hail, expressing disbelief at the conditions. "Wow – are you kidding me right now?" he exclaimed, mirroring the sentiments of many. For Putnam, a native of Tacoma, Washington, the weather was reminiscent of home.
Adding to the unusual circumstances, Scottsdale experienced temperatures lower than typical for the season, with lows in the 30s and 40s and highs only in the 50s and 60s throughout the week. The forecast predicted a 70% chance of rain for Thursday's first round, with a slight possibility of lightning. While Friday was anticipated to be partly cloudy with minimal rain chances, Saturday could see showers once again, albeit with a lower likelihood.
Looking ahead to the final round on Sunday, mostly sunny conditions were expected, though temperatures were forecasted to remain cool. A meteorological analysis indicated a fast-moving front sweeping across Arizona on Thursday, bringing the threat of showers to TPC Scottsdale, primarily between 1-4 p.m. The frontal passage might also bring gusty winds exceeding 25 mph. Despite the challenges, the remainder of the week was forecasted to be mostly dry, although some shower activity lingered for Saturday. Furthermore, the colder temperatures toward the weekend could lead to frost development, particularly on Friday and Sunday mornings.
As the WM Phoenix Open navigates through the weather obstacles, players and organizers remain vigilant, adapting to the unpredictable nature of Mother Nature as they strive to continue the tournament with minimal disruption.
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