Ocean Course can stand up to rain for PGA Championship, superintendent says

KIAWAH ISLAND — Six inches of rain have fallen the Ocean Course in the last week, including a half-inch today as the world’s best golfers prepared for the 94th PGA Championship.

“We haven’t had this much rain consecutively for quite a while,” said Ocean Course superintendent Jeff Stone. “We haven’t seen the sun in a while.”

Despite the deluge, which had golfers and spectators dodging rain drops and mud puddles today, Stone is confident that the Ocean Course will stand up to 72 holes of major championship golf starting Thursday.

“It will hold up real well,” Stone said. “If we get the sun out and a little bit of wind within 24 hours, the golf course will be ready to go.”

The sun did come out in the afternoon, but lightning and heavy rains early today resulted in a delay that kept spectators from entering the gates until 7:25 a.m., almost a half-hour past the scheduled opening.

Players and spectators are now on the golf course.

Today’s weather forecast calls for a 70 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, especially during the afternoon.

Thursday’s forecast is for a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, decreasing to 40 percent Friday and Saturday and 30 percent Saturday and Sunday.

For more coverage go to postandcourier.com/pga.