The Loop

The PGA's decision not to move up tee times might prove costly

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Before the outcome of the 2014 PGA is determined, frustration is already mounting in Louisville over the PGA of America's decision to keep tee times scheduled at the original 8:25 a.m. EDT start time. With a one hour and fifty minute delay after one inch of rain fell over 45 minutes drenched an already saturated Valhalla. And more thunderstorms forecast in the evening.

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The final group of Rory McIlroy and Bernd Wiesberger is set to tee off off at 4:19 p.m. in hopes of finishing. The sun sets at 8:40 p.m.  The weather-hampered schedule leaves little time for any more delays or -- big jinx here -- the PGA's three-hole aggregate playoff.

"No chance," said Colin Montgomerie after his round of the prospects for a finish. He cited the pace as slowing down because of casual water drops and the other issues with the course.

A similar scenario occurred in 2005 when the PGA of America and broadcaster CBS "mutually agreed" on Sunday starting times at Baltusrol designed to produce a 7 p.m. finish, even though thunderstorms were forecast.

The storm came, the finish spilled into Monday where Phil Mickelson birdied the last hole to prevent a playoff that would have included Tiger Woods, who has departed after his Sunday round.

At least this year, no one is leaving Valhalla. And that's the bad news.