High wind forces suspension of LPGA Tour season opener
>>PARADISE ISLAND: Brooke Henderson bogeyed the first hole to drop into a tie for the lead on Friday before the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic was suspended for the day — and later cut from 72 to 54 holes — because of high wind that moved balls on an exposed green.
Sustained 48-56kph wind gusting to the low 40s hit the Ocean Club Golf Course, forcing officials to stop second-round play at 8.39am local time.
They shortened the season-opening event to 54 holes in an attempt to complete play today, and didn’t rule out a Monday finish.
“Yesterday we were able to play and complete the round, but we did have an isolated ball move here and there, but it wasn’t much and we could get it right back into play,’’ said Sue Witters, the LPGA’s vice president of tour rules and competition.
“This morning was a different story. The winds are up from what they were and we got to the point on 13 where we could not get a ball to stay at rest on the green.’’
On Thursday, Henderson shot a bogey-free five-under 68 in high wind to take a one-stroke lead.
The bogey on the par-four first dropped the 20-year-old Canadian into a tie with Australia’s Sarah Jane Smith and Spanish rookie Luna Sobron Galmes.
“Tomorrow, hopefully, will be more like yesterday,” Witters said. “The winds will come down a bit, and then Sunday is even better than that. Sunday should be out of the four days the least windy, but it will still be windy.”
Thai sisters Moriya and Ariya Jutanugarn had bad starts with the former hitting a 75 and the latter a 76 in the opening round.
Moriya, 23, is seeking her breakthrough title on the LPGATour, while Ariya, 22, has won seven tournaments.
Compatriot Wichanee Meechai was the best Thai performer in the first round with a 72, two shots better than Pornanong Phatlum.