Thick Fog and Heavy Rain
Two Consecutive Tournaments Reduced to 54 Holes
The SK Telecom Open on the Korea Professional Golf Association (KPGA) Tour, with a total prize fund of 1.3 billion won, was postponed for two consecutive days due to deteriorating weather conditions.
The tournament, originally scheduled as a 72-hole event over four rounds, has been reduced to a 54-hole competition over three rounds. On May 16, the KPGA announced that the first round, which was to be held at Pinx Golf Club (par 71, 7,326 yards) in Seogwipo, Jeju, had been postponed due to dense fog and heavy rain. There were no major issues when the first group was set to tee off at 6:50 a.m. However, about three hours after play began, dense fog engulfed the course, and the organizers decided to suspend play at 9:47 a.m. Subsequently, heavy rain fell on the course, and after three additional delays, the organizers decided to postpone the round at around 2:30 p.m.
The tournament was originally scheduled to begin with the first round on May 15, but play could not even start due to fog. To make matters worse, the round on May 16 was also postponed, making it impossible to hold a 72-hole event. Kwon Cheongwon, the KPGA tournament director, stated, "It is difficult to hold a 72-hole tournament with the remaining schedule," and added, "We have decided to reduce the event to 54 holes." Following the KPGA Classic, which concluded on May 11, the KPGA Tour will now hold two consecutive tournaments as three-round, 54-hole events.
A 54-hole, three-round tournament is recognized as an official event. Both points and official prize money are awarded in full. A 36-hole, two-round tournament is also recognized as an official event and points are awarded in full, but only 75% of the prize money is paid. If weather issues prevent normal play on May 17 as well, there is a possibility that the tournament will be further reduced to a 36-hole event.
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