Fans blast PGA Tour 'clown show' as Cognizant Classic forced into Monday finish

The PGA Tour was accused by golf fans of running a 'clown show' after the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches was forced into a Monday finish. 

Play at PGA National was suspended on Sunday at 12.50pm ET with the leaders yet to tee off. 

At the time, South Africa's Erik van Rooyen held the lead by one stroke after making birdie on eight of his first 11 holes. 

Overnight leaders Shane Lowry, David Skinns and Austin Eckroat were yet to tee off. 

It begged the immediate question, why didn't tournament officials get the players out earlier in groups of three and in a two-tee start?

As was pointed out by a number of golf fans on the internet, the forecast for Sunday looked awful. 

"Monday finish again instead of getting them out early this morning," one X user wrote, adding: "Clown show."

Another added: "Why did you not start the final round just after first light on a two-tee start in groups of three?

"Would that be too sensible given you clearly knew the forecasted weather?"

Another user twisted the knife: "Shocking planning yet again. This storm surprised no one."

Earlier in the season the signature AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am was reduced to 54 holes because of the wind and rain. 

Wyndham Clark was declared the winner at the iconic links after the PGA Tour was forced to cancel the final day. 

It was all the more embarrassing given their LIV Golf rival play 54-hole events and Clark was given full world ranking points for the victory.

Very surprised groups weren’t sent out this morning off split tees and threesomes. Now looking at a Monday finish at the @the_cognizant

— Smylie Kaufman (@SmylieKaufman10) March 3, 2024

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