Tulsa, Oklahoma. — A cold front and winds expected to reach 40 mph are approaching on day two of the PGA Championship, prompting officials to leave greens in Southern Hills untidy.
Players were informed early Friday in a text message that “due to expected high winds, green lawn will not be mowed today at all training and golf courses.”
Winds are expected to be 20 mph throughout the day with gusts of up to 40 mph later in the morning, followed by a chance of thunderstorms around 5 p.m. PT. According to forecasts, night storms can include hail and heavy rain.
Full field scores from the PGA Championship
US PGA Championships Director Kerry Haig said this is the first time the Greens have not been cut between rounds in the modern era of a PGA Championship.
“They’re a little slower, obviously, but I think it was a good decision to keep it that way. I think it was very fair,” said Bernd Weisberger, who was five off the lead after the second round.
Not everyone was happy.
“I mean, we’re playing a major, not a monthly medal,” said Terrell Hutton, who shot 2-under 68 to take the lead by seven. “You know, hmm [bouncing] around the place. It is very difficult to dig the blows. So you take a great shot and they don’t seem to go in, which is hard to accept when we’re playing in a major tournament.
“In my view, I obviously hope the Greens will be nicer over the weekend. But saying that, I still need to be able to hit decent shots to give myself bird-making opportunities, so just see where that takes us.”
The PGA of America has not announced green speeds and some players warned earlier in the week that some court surfaces, specifically numbers 9, 10 and 18, might become unplayable due to the steep slopes.
