Hurricane Debby delays start of Wyndham Championship

The start of the first round of the Wyndham Championship has been delayed by approximately eight hours as North Carolina grapples with heavy rains from the remnants of Hurricane Debby. Tournament officials announced early Thursday morning, just after 5 a.m. local time, that the tee times, initially scheduled for 6:50 a.m., are on hold. Play is now expected to commence no earlier than 3 p.m.

In addition to the delay, all facilities at Sedgefield Country Club, the host of the tournament, have been closed. The PGA Tour plans to provide an update at noon, offering further clarity on the situation.

Late Wednesday afternoon, tournament officials made the decision that, due to the severe weather conditions, any competition held on Thursday would proceed without spectators. This precautionary measure is in response to weather-related concerns that have persisted throughout the region.

Overnight, North Carolina was hit with relentless rain, prompting numerous flash-flood warnings across the area. The intense rainfall and subsequent flooding have caused significant disruptions, contributing to the delay of the tournament.

The Wyndham Championship is a crucial event on the PGA Tour calendar, serving as the final regular-season tournament. The outcomes of this tournament are pivotal, as they will determine the final field of 70 golfers who will advance to the FedExCup playoffs, beginning next week.

This year’s field for the Wyndham Championship consists of 156 golfers, including notable Australian players Min Woo Lee, Cam Davis, and Aaron Baddeley. The tournament is slated to run through Sunday, weather permitting.

As the region continues to deal with the aftereffects of Hurricane Debby, the tournament officials and participants alike remain hopeful that conditions will improve, allowing for the successful completion of the event.