Spain Estrella Damm NA Andalucia Masters Spectators Told To Leave Course As Strong Winds Force Officials To Adopt ‘Closed Door’ Policy.

2 years ago by Comments Off on Spain Estrella Damm NA Andalucia Masters Spectators Told To Leave Course As Strong Winds Force Officials To Adopt ‘Closed Door’ Policy.

In a rare decision, strong winds forced Estrella Damm NA Andalucia Masters officials mid-afternoon to advise spectators to leave the course while the later hours of the opening day of the Spanish event were played under a ‘closed door’ policy – players, caddies, officials and media only.

The winds picked-up as the morning half of the draw were completing their rounds on the famed Sotogrande course at San Roque laidout  very close to Spain’s Costa del Sol shoreline.

However, as the winds intensified and with officials fearing spectators may be injured by flying items the decision was made to close all spectator facilites and advise people to make their way to buses that would take them to the various car parks.

The winds, reported to have reached 70 mph, did make scoring difficult and with branches and leaves blowing over fairways and greens, and forcing players and caddies alike to hold onto caps and other items that could blow away.

England’s James Morrison, who was out in the morning half of the draw in the $US 3.75m event and posting an eight-under 64 to lead by one, spoke of the conditions.

“I’m happier now with the wind and the rain starting to pick up on the last hole there. I’m very happy. Knew the draw was going to be that way and we got more holes in this morning with no wind than we actually thought we were going to get in so we had to make hay while the sun was shining and I did that.

“It’s gusting. It’s quite an exposed bit of the course, that 18th green, and you’re waiting for a gust to come behind you and it’s just difficult. You’ve got to get a wide base. It’s a lottery. You’ve got no chance of holing those putts but luckily enough it went in”.

Scotland’s Marc Warren, who was also out early and posting a two-under 70, and commented:  “It was absolutely perfect conditions this morning but getting very tricky now for the afternoon half of the field.

“The greens have not been cut, so that were a bit slower and that’s due to the high winds being forecasted for the afternoon.  That made the greens very tricky as they were pretty fast for the three days ahead of the tournament compared to this morning as they were much slower.

“The increasing winds forced everyone to adjust their game plan, so given that a two-under was a good score.  So, I’ll sit back and watch the guys out there this afternoon struggle”.

Saying that play was completed and with 54 players in the starting field of 126 players managing to break par on the Sotogrande course that is hosting a DP World Tour event for a first time since 2006.



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