WBAY-TV

Weather Below Par for PGA Championship

By Matt Smith

Day two of the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits was delayed more than two-and-a-half hours again Friday morning because of dense fog.

Since then, thousands of fans and staff have kept their eyes on the sky. The heat and humidity is fuel for storms that can pop up pretty fast.

"And until we get a front that comes through and cleans this out we're going to be under that threat of storms really from now and throughout the day tomorrow," on-site meteorologist Wade Stettner of Telvent DTN said Friday.

Stettner was tracking Friday's storms.

"Once we get to the point where the storms get close we talk with the tourney director, the tourney director usually comes in here with us and monitor it, and if we do need to evacuate due to lightning he will make that call."

For the thousands of spectators, if an evacuation is ordered they are told to find shelter immediately, even before play is suspended. Whistling Straits says the best option for fans is to head to their cars since on-site parking is nearby.

For players, vehicles are available throughout the course for quick access.

Weather updates are posted on the leaderboard throughout the course, and sirens would sound if fans needed to evacuate and find shelter immediately.

"A very quick evacuation, which is why were are here all the time and watching it," said Stettner.

But for many, the weather is part of the game.

"When my watch tells me it's time to go and pick up my children, then it's time to go. The weather won't stop me," spectator Sandy Miller said.

"Got the umbrellas. We'll tough it out," spectator Bill Huelsbeck said.

©2010 WBAY-TV. Original Article