‘F*cking Embarrassment’: Fans Rally Against PGA Tour as Another Disruption Suspends $9.2M Event

For all its challenges, the PGA Tour in 2025 seems to be grappling with something even more relentless. Weather. ​Just weeks ago, the final round of the 2025 Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass was suspended for four hours due to lightning in the area at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Despite efforts to beat the incoming storms by pushing forward tee times, play was halted at 1:15 p.m. ET after rain and thunderclaps rolled in. The PGA Tour had anticipated storms between 3-5 p.m. and started play at 8 a.m. ET to avoid a Monday finish, which saw Rory McIlroy win the trophy. Now, Mother Nature has struck again — this time at the Zurich Classic, where play has once more been brought to a standstill.

The third-round play at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans was abruptly halted at 2:15 p.m. due to lightning in the area. The suspension has left players and spectators alike anxiously waiting for the storm to pass. According to the latest update, play is set to resume at 3:45 p.m., with practice facilities reopening for players at 3:15 p.m.

At the time of the suspension, Andrew Novak and Ben Griffin were leading the tournament with a combined score of 22-under, just one shot ahead of six other teams tied at 21-under. A total of twenty teams were within three shots of the lead when the horn blew. Defending champions Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry were 20-under through 17 holes, with McIlroy lining up a 30-foot eagle putt on the 18th hole when play was suspended.

The sudden interruption has left players and spectators alike anxiously waiting for the storm to pass, wondering when they can get back to the action on the course to see if Novak and Griffin can hold on to their top spot and claim the prize money. However, the forecast for the remainder of the event looks unsettled.

Partly cloudy skies and isolated showers are expected on both Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, temperatures are expected to climb into the mid-80s, with light winds shifting to southeasterly in the afternoon. Sunday’s forecast predicts patchy fog in the morning, clearing up by 8-9 a.m., with partly cloudy skies and light winds turning southeasterly in the afternoon.

The 2025 PGA Tour season has been marked by a string of unforeseen challenges, with the weather proving to be a consistent disruptor. From the lengthy suspensions at the Players Championship to delays during practice rounds at the Masters, the elements have repeatedly thrown off the rhythm of the competition.

Alongside these weather woes, the PGA Tour has also been grappling with a growing issue that has left fans and players alike frustrated: the slow pace of play. This season has seen numerous rounds stretch well beyond the typical five-hour mark, leading to increased scrutiny on how the Tour handles pace regulations.

While the Tour is taking steps to curb the slow pace of play problem, they have less control over how the weather behaves. But the fans are not forgiving, believing that the weather was not too harsh to suspend play.

Netizens are mad at the PGA Tour

Starting off strong, one fan wrote, “You guys are such a f**king embarrassment lol”, under the PGA Tour’s post. Another fan sarcastically pointed out,“Due to raindrops,” suggesting that the Tour took this action for nothing.

The 2025 Masters also faced the same issue, as practice was suspended late Monday morning due to worsening rain and the threat of thunderstorms at Augusta National. Despite initial plans to close the course earlier, spectators were allowed on the grounds for about 3 1/2 hours, but were later pulled off for safety concerns. Few players, including Keegan Bradley and Matthieu Pavon, ventured out for solo practice rounds.

Meanwhile, fans were not letting the Tour go off the hook. One fan mentioned, “It’s not even raining.” The delays being short-lived were nothing new in golf, as weather predictions can be inaccurate. Delays in golf due to weather, especially during spring and summer, can occur from various factors like thunderstorms, heavy rain, and even fog, often significantly altering tournament schedules and fan experiences, but when they are short-lived, the tension among the fans is somewhat less.

Another fan wrote, “Hey idiots it’s clear.” Another fan questioned the delay, citing that it has become a norm. It’s not even raining anymore lol. Its so embarrassing they do this every week. Gotta be some shady reason behind it,” they wrote.

The sentiment was shared by another fan who asked why the PGA Tour always needs ideal conditions. “Either it is a little bit too windy or a few raindrops from the sky. Seems like the PGA Tour should always be played under perfect conditions,” they pointed out.