The PGA Championship faced another delay due to severe weather conditions at Quail Hollow, which have hindered Rory McIlroy’s performance. The Masters champion, who struggled with equipment issues leading up to the tournament, saw his third round’s start postponed just as he approached the first tee.
When the suspension sounded, McIlroy displayed visible frustration as he reacted with a grimace and an exasperated sigh, although he later managed to find humor in the situation, laughing it off despite his evident annoyance. This year’s tournament has been marred by bad weather, with interruptions also occurring earlier in the week.
Heading into the weekend, McIlroy found himself tied for 62nd place, sitting nine strokes behind leader Jhonattan Vegas. His second round score left him at one over par, making a strong performance in the delayed third round crucial for any hope of recovery in the standings. With further delays anticipated, including the suspension of practice due to lightning, the PGA Tour announced that play for the third round would feature threesomes starting from 11:43 AM local time.
A PGA Championship statement confirmed the weather-related suspension and urged everyone on-site to seek shelter. As the tournament progresses, updates on revised start times will be provided, with McIlroy’s new tee time still pending.
Comments from analysts, including Paul McGinley, suggested that McIlroy may need to reset his focus to regain competitive form, citing a concerning lack of concentration compared to his peak performance during the Masters. Despite these challenges, there remains a chance for a turnaround, as McIlroy has proven his ability to rally in tough situations before.
In this unpredictable tournament atmosphere, hope persists for McIlroy to overcome these setbacks and turn the tide in his favor. Fans and analysts alike will be keeping a close watch as conditions evolve and the next rounds commence.