Phoenix Open pro-am cancelled due to inclement weather
Wednesday’s pro-am round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open 2011 was cancelled due to inclement weather.
Professional Golfers Association officials cancelled the pro-am which was scheduled to be held at the TPC Scottsdale in Arizona because of the frosty conditions that made the course unplayable.
However, officials fear that the conditions would persist during the next two rounds making the course even more difficult for the contenders.
Tour referee Slugger White discussed the situation in a press conference and said, “It doesn't look good tomorrow morning, it's supposed to be colder and it might be even colder on Friday. I have talked to people that grew up here and they have never seen
anything like this. Obviously, we have had frost delays before, but usually that is an hour or so. We've got 20 to 30mph winds out there with a wind-chill factor of about 30 right now.”
Unlike most of the sports, golf is played in open surroundings on ground, which is covered with grass. Frost makes the grass slippery, which not only resists the movement of the ball during the play, but can also cause injury to the players.
But players like Phil Mickelson are at ease owing to the latest gadgets they have. The 2010 US Master Champion told the press that he did not foresee any major resistance as the latest technology had made it easier for the players to adapt to the weather.
Mickelson explained that he had a new ball, which does not compress in cold conditions unlike old balls and rolls better on frosty greens.
The 40-year-old who is recovering from arthritis further added, “It's supposed to be beautiful on Sunday and the weekend and hopefully we'll get a great turn-out. One of the things I've done this year is switching golf balls in cold weather. I've been going
to a much softer, much lower compression ball; it helped me last week and it's going to help me this week as well.”
Critics and players shared different views regarding the weather and results at the Phoenix Open. Let’s see whose concerns turn out to be true when the first round of the tournament gets underway.