Europeans could wilt in Tulsa’s ‘excruciating’ heat
Yesterday morning, local radio stations were predicting temperatures of around 100 degrees Fahrenheit and issued stark warnings about “excessive heat conditions” and the need for spectators to keep hydrated during the first practice round in the 89th US PGA Championship, beginning over the splendid Southern Hills course on Thursday.
The Weather Channel was so concerned that they urged people to keep a close eye out for neighbours and described the heat as “excruciating”.
PGA officials said yesterday that while water will be available, there were no plans to issue any bottles free of charge to the 40,000 who will cram the venue over the next week.
These are circumstances which won’t suit a number of Europeans, with supporters of Colin Montgomerie and Darren Clarke among those who feel the dice is loaded against them.
Both men, and especially Clarke, need everything going for them after a series of disappointing performances in recent weeks. Darren’s season seems to be going from bad to worse as his rounds of 70, 76, 76 and 75 in the Bridgestone WGC last week clearly indicate.
The average temperature for August 9-12 in this part of Oklahoma is historically in the region of 95F.
Tales of almost inhuman conditions for major tournaments at Southern Hills at this time of year are legion. Tommy Bolt, a US professional infamous for his temper, was fiery enough without having to deal with 97 degrees for 36 holes on the final day of the 1958 US Open. Somehow, he did it in what became known as the “Blast Furnace Open.
When it was recently pointed out to Bolt that the stars of the current day would have to cope with similar conditions, he grunted: “That will wilt those little young kids out there — they’re just ice cream eaters”.
If the players aren’t prepared for what lies in wait, they will quickly realise how vital it will be for them to cope with the conditions. In the third round of the 1970 PGA Championship, Raymond Floyd swallowed salt tablets and wrapped his head with a wet towel between shots in an attempt to beat the heat explaining: “I just can’t play wearing a hat.”
The legendary Ben Hogan had his own solution. He withdrew saying that “I’ve never gotten that wet on a golf course in my life.”
The saga goes on and on. In the 1977 US Open, Bob E. Smith’s caddie fainted on the 10th hole and a friend from the gallery carried for the remainder of his round.
Floyd again showed his liking for Southern Hills when he shot a record 63 in 102F in the PGA.
His caddie, a certain Dolphus “Golf Ball” Hull lost seven pounds but wasn’t complaining as he claimed “the only time the bag gets heavy is when your man makes a lot of bogeys”.
Zimbabwean Nick Price also showed little fear of the temperatures in 1994 when his golf was even hotter. He shot a record score and won by six. All of which begs the question, why does the US PGA choose places like Tulsa for their major championship at a time of year when they know the place is going to be stinking hot? “When you look at July and August, you are going to get warm weather sites almost wherever you go,’’ declared Joe Steranka, chief executive of the US PGA.
As the players arrived yesterday to register, few were heading out for an early practice round. Some, however, were taking positives from the weather, guys like American John Rollins who lives in Dallas, Texas, having been raised in Richmond, Virginia. He sees it something like this: “I like the heat and humidity. It’s kind of what I’m used to and usually I play my best when it gets hot and you get a sweat going. I think it will be fun and I’m looking forward to it.”
Another American, Chad Campbell pointed out that the caddies have it tougher. “Imagine walking up the 18th fairway this week with a heavy bag on your shoulder. You feel bad for them but I guess it just kind of comes with the job, you know?”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
