The LPGA Tour was in New Zealand this week for the McKayson New Zealand Women’s Open and despite some solid golf being played, the weather and player safety became the story of the week.
Here’s the dispatch from Golfweek.com.
The conditions in the final round of the McKayson New Zealand Women’s Open produced plenty of drama, and not in a good way.
After a series of stops and starts Sunday at Windross Farm Golf Course, play was suspended for the day at 5:16 p.m. local time. But some competitors felt that the handling of that final delay potentially put them in danger.
Heavy rain halted play for two hours early in the day and dangerous weather made for a nearly two-and-a-half-hour delay in the afternoon. Play would then resume at 4:53 p.m. local time before being shelved for the day 23 minutes later.
What was the issue? The moniker “dangerous weather” was fitting. Brutally high winds began whipping across the course, dislodging signage and forcing players to duck and huddle for safety.
The players took issue with having to fend for themselves on the course in the dangerous weather. Belen Mozo, who can be seen in the above clip and who was leading the tournament after 54 holes, did not hold back when it came to assessing the situation afterward.
https://t.co/hzW2l0jgOV @LPGA is a tour where players DONT have a say or a voice. Like I say we are “like sheeps”. ????????
— Belén Mozo (@BelenMozo) October 1, 2017
Mozo wasn’t alone in her criticism; Brittany Lincecome, Paula Creamer and Danielle Kang (in since-deleted tweets) also voiced their displeasure.
This is a freaking joke!!!!! ???????????? https://t.co/yzMiVvSx50
— Brittany Lincicome (@Brittany1golf) October 1, 2017
My question exactly ???????? https://t.co/SG13maZBKQ
— Brittany Lincicome (@Brittany1golf) October 2, 2017
This is so bad!!!! Why are these girls out there during these conditions??? https://t.co/P9LxzBeQ2m
— Paula Creamer (@ThePCreamer) October 1, 2017
Brooke Henderson took home the trophy on Monday completing the weather-delayed final round by three strokes. Mozo finished in a tie for fifth thanks to a final-round 78; Lincicome tied for eighth and Kang tied for 24th.
[Golfweek.com, NZHerald.co.nz]
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