In light of the washout of the Nissan Open last weekend, the news that the Accenture World Match Play would be delayed until Thursday came as little surprise to many golf fans. Parts of La Costa golf resort were literally under water thanks to 2 inches of rain in the last day, and little relief is in sight since another inch is expected tonight. Luckily, since this is a diminished field event and each round halves the field, PGA officials are planning on playing two rounds on Friday to make up the lost time. Tournament director Mark Russell said, “It’s totally saturated, but based on this weather forecast, it’s going to get nothing but better. If we get a day of sunshine and breeze, it will get dramatically better.”
The delay at La Costa marks the fourth delayed event of the PGA Tour’s West Coast Swing. First it was the ominous marine layers which halted play at the Buick Invitational. 30 mph winds stopped play at the FBR Open. Last week, the Nissan Open was played at Lake Riviera, and now the weather has forced yet another delay at La Costa. Sadly, this scenario is becoming very familiar to golf fans since the Accenture Match Play Championships was also delayed last year.
Considering the poor weather that seems to dominate the West Coast Swing, the Tour should consider flip-flopping February’s West Coast events with March’s Florida events. Not only is Florida drier than California in February, it is also warmer which may help strengthen fields. In addition to better weather, the Tour would also be able to capitalize on excitement surrounding The Player’s Championship much earlier in the year.
Photo Credit: © AP.