The LPGA Tour announced the cancellation of the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship on Sunday after play was suspended on Saturday due to heavy rain and dangerous weather conditions.
As the circuit’s shortest event with only 54 holes, the LPGA Tour had thought to shorten the event further to 36 holes. But in the end the weather won out after only the first round’s 18 holes had been played.
“The course received 3.25 [inches] of rain last night and after having assessed the golf course and consulted with our meteorologist and superintendent, the golf course is unplayable,” the LPGA said in a statement.
“Based on the weather forecast for the remainder of today and all day Monday and Tuesday, it is highly unlikely that 36 holes could be completed to make it an official event.
“As a result, the decision has been made to cancel the remainder of the tournament, with only players’ 18-hole score counting.”
In the first and only round on Friday, USA’s Sarah Schmelzel and Japan’s Minami Katsu held a share of the lead at 8 under. Schmelzel produced a promising start to match Katsu when she closed with an eagle on the 18th, just after sinking four consecutive birdies. However, now as an unofficial event, no points will be awarded in the Race to the CME globe, although players will still receive compensation regardless of their place on the leaderboard.
“With the cancellation of play at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G,” the LPGA added in their statement. “LPGA Tour officials announce that $2 million in prize money will be paid out from the tournament purse – above and beyond the obligated 50 percent per LPGA sanctioning.”
“$1.5 million (50 percent of the original purse) will be distributed under the standard LPGA purse distribution method to the top 65 and ties, based on Friday’s 18-hole results. The remaining $500,000 will be divided evenly among all 144 players in the field, with each receiving $3,500.”