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Typhoon tempers Tiger mania, as second round of the Zozo Championship is delayed and Monday finish is announced
Chung Sung-Jun
Tiger mania was ramped up following Tiger Woods’ opening round of six-under-par 64 in the Zozo Championship in Chiba, Japan, on Thursday, but an impending typhoon has intervened and the start of the second round was postponed until Saturday morning (5:30 p.m. EDT Friday).
The PGA Tour announced the postponement at 5:30 p.m. (EDT) on Thursday, citing heavy rain in the area. Typhoon Bualoi was expected to bring as much as five inches of rain to the region.
The Weather Channel forecast for Chiba, Japan, at which Narashino Country Club is located, called for rain all day, with a 100-percent chance of heavy rain from noon to 4 p.m., Japan time.
Less than two weeks ago, Typhoon Hagibis ravaged the area.
Woods, making his first start of the new 2019-'20 PGA Tour season and playing in Japan for the first time in 13 years, attracted a massive crowd that he did not disappoint. Though he bogeyed his first three holes, he made nine birdies over his final 15 holes. He is tied for the lead with Gary Woodland.
It was the first tournament golf Woods had played since the BMW Championship in August.
UPDATE 7:15 a.m. EDT Friday—Predictions of severe storms came true on Friday as Narashino Country Club took on six inches of rain. As a result, the PGA Tour announced that it wouldn't be able to start of the second round on Saturday morning in Japan until at least 9:30 a.m. local time. Because of saturated conditions and safety issues around the course, spectators also would not be allow on the property during Saturday's play. Additionally, the tour announced that the tournament would finish on Monday in order to complete 72 holes of competition. While forecasts call for better weather on Saturday, rain is also predicted to hit the area on Sunday.