[Photo: Kenneth Richmond]
The PGA Tour determined early on Sunday in Bermuda that there will be no play for what was supposed to be the final day of the Butterfield Bermuda Championship.
At first, the tour’s communications team sent out a social media post saying that because of gusts stronger than 40 miles per hour, tee-times would be delayed at Port Royal Golf Course. But two hours later the final decision for the day came down, saying “with no improvement to the current weather conditions and anticipated further deterioration, there will be no play today”.
The PGA Tour then said that information regarding the plan for Monday will be provided much later this afternoon (Monday morning, Australian time).
Austin Smotherman and Seamus Power are tied for the lead at 16-under-par. Three men are tied for third place, two shots back.
This, of course, is an important final round for most of the field as exempt status on the PGA Tour is on the line. Those inside the top 100 in FedEx Cup rankings after the RSM Classic will receive that status. Anyone finishing 51st to 60th will get into the first two signature events of 2027.
Smotherman won the Bank of Utah Championship earlier this month and came into the week 52nd in points. The 39-year-old Irishman Power, however, came into the week at 103rd and would jump up to No.53 with a victory in Bermuda. Taylor Moore is tied for third place and came into the week ranked 109th in points.
The most recent Monday finish on the PGA Tour came back in June at the Travelers Championship, but that was just for Scottie Scheffler and Viktor Hovland to decide the title, which Hovland won. This week is different, of course, as it’s 72 players who need to play and finish.
Monday’s forecast appears much better than Sunday, calling for winds from 15-20 miles per hour in Bermuda. The report says there will be occasional gusts up to 30mph with some showers. The tour moves to the VidantaWorld Mexico Open next week, which is set to being on Thursday.
UPDATE (7:25am, AEDT): The tournament will now be a 54-hole event with the only play on Monday in Bermuda to be a playoff between Smotherman and Power, the PGA Tour has announced.
“Due to the unfavourable weather forecast for Monday at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship and the uncertainty surrounding the completion of the entire final round on Monday, the tournament results will be considered final through 54 holes in accordance with PGA Tour Regulations,” a statement from the tour read.
“A playoff between Seamus Power and Austin Smotherman will be conducted to determine the champion and is tentatively scheduled for 9am local time on Monday, subject to weather conditions. The playoff will be broadcast live on Golf Channel.”
