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Men's Olympic Golf suspended during first round due to nearby lightning

On3 imageby:Dan Morrison•08/01/24•

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Olympic Golf
Olympic Golf - © Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports

The International Golf Federation has announced a delay in the first round Olympic Golf Men’s Competition due to inclement weather, with lightning strikes in the area.

“Round 1 of the Olympic Golf Men’s Competition was interrupted at 16:26 due to lightning in the area,” the IGF wrote in a statement. “An update will be provided when available.”

There is plenty of bad weather that a sport like golf can be played in, including wind, rain, and high temperatures. However, lightning isn’t something that anyone wants to mess with given how dangerous it can be and the equipment used by golfers.

Luckily, it looks like it will be a short delay, with the IGF announcing that play will resume at 17:05, once the weather is expected to clear up. However, play was later interrupted again at 17:26.

At the initial point that the first round of Olympic Men’s Golf was suspended, a majority of golfers had actually already finished their days. It was a smaller group that still had a few holes to go, but the majority of them only had a handful of holes left.

Olympic Golf started its first round of competition for the 2024 Paris Games starting on August 1st. Play will run for four days. The women’s competition will later begin on August 7th. It’s being played at Le Golf National, which is in Guyancourt, France, about an hour and a half drive outside of Paris itself.

At the time that play was suspended, Hideki Matsuyama of Japan had the lead at -8. He’s through all 18 holes. Xander Schauffele of the United States of America is in second place, at -7, while only being through 17 holes. Three other golfers are tied for third at -5 through 18 holes.

Scottie Scheffler, another American, is generally considered the favorite to win the gold medal at these Olympics. He finished his 18 holes before the weather delay, shooting a -4. That puts him in a nine-person tie for sixth early in the competition. It also puts him in a position to make a move forward as the tournament goes on.

Xander Schauffele and Rory McIlroy of Ireland are both also considered among the favorites to win a medal in Paris. For now, Mcllroy is in a tie for 15th at -3 during the competition. He’s finished his 18 holes for the day.

Hopefully, moving forward, the weather stays clear and there won’t be any other delays today or in the future at Le Golf National.