Heavy rain and dangerous weather led the LPGA Tour to shut down the second round of the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship before players even began, leaving uncertainty over how much of the event can be completed. The tournament is the shortest so far at 54 holes, with no more than three holes completed. The LPGA will determine if it’s 36 holes or all 54 holes next week, with coverage starting at 4 p.m. EDT. Sarah Schmelzel and Minami Katsu tied for 8 under par, while Alison Lee joined them after a birdie.
When relentless rain drenched the Arkansas golf course, it didn’t just disrupt play. It threw the entire LPGA event into uncertainty, leaving fans and players alike wondering if the tournament could even be completed. But here’s where it gets controversial. With the weather forcing a halt before the second round even began, the question arises, how much of the competition can realistically be finished? The Walmart NW Arkansas Championship. already the shortest event on the LPGA schedule at just 54 holes, faced a major setback on Saturday. Torrential rain and hazardous conditions forced officials to suspend play before most players could tee off, casting doubt over the weekend schedule and the tournament’s outcome. Due to the downpour, no competitor managed to play more than three holes. The LPGA announced that a decision on whether the Pinnacle Country Club course would be playable would be made early Sunday morning with plans to restart the second round at 7:10 a.m. Central Daylight Time if conditions allowed. This delay means players might face a grueling day ahead or alternatively extended periods of waiting. Both scenarios testing their focus and stamina. At the time play was halted, Sarah Schmeltzel and Manami Katsu were tied for the lead at eight under par, showcasing impressive performances. Allison Lee, who is still finding her rhythm in just her third tournament since returning from maternity leave in late April, had just made a birdie to join them at 8 under when the weather intervened. The LPGA is now faced with a tough decision. Should the tournament be shortened to 36 holes, or should they attempt to complete the full 54 holes despite the weather challenges? This dilemma is especially pressing given that the LPGA Tour has no events scheduled for the following week, potentially allowing more time to finish the championship, but also raising questions about fairness and player fatigue. For fans eager to catch the action, Golf Channel plans to begin coverage at 400 PM Eastern Daylight Time. But what exactly will be broadcast remains uncertain until the course’s condition is confirmed. Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Rain has played Spoiler at this event. Back in 2007, during the tournament’s inaugural year, Stacy Lewis posted the lowest score as an amateur. However, Heavy Rain cut that event short after just 18 holes, and the results were never officially recognized. This historical footnote adds another layer to the ongoing debate about how weather interruptions should be handled in professional golf. So, what do you think? Should the LPGA prioritize completing all 54 holes to preserve the tournament’s integrity, or is it more practical to shorten the event when weather reres havoc? And how might these decisions impact players who are still finding their form like Allison Lee? Share your thoughts below. This is a conversation that’s far from over.
