PGA Tour Championship: Lightning injures at least six fans, suspends play in third round

Los Angeles: At least six fans were injured after lightning struck trees at the PGA Tour Championship on Saturday, forcing suspension third round play at the season finale. [caption id=“attachment_7222791” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Fans were injured and needed medical assistance during the PGA Tour Championship after being struck by lightning. Reuters/USA Today Sports[/caption] A statement from the PGA Tour said four fans were injured after two lightning strikes hit trees near the 16th tee at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, showering debris over nearby fans. Paramedics treated the four spectators while two other injured fans also received treatment before being hospitalised. “Our latest report is that their injuries do not appear to be life-threatening,” the PGA Tour said in a statement. Dramatic slow motion footage of the incident screened by NBC television showed a lightning bolt hitting a large tree near the fans before bursting into flames. The lightning strikes hit the course shortly after players had been removed for safety reasons as storms rolled into the area. Third round play will resume on Sunday at 8am local time (1200 GMT). “The safety of our fans, players and partners is of the utmost importance,” the PGA Tour said. Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy was a shot off the pace on 11 under after going through the first five holes at one over par.

Lightening strike at the FedEx cup championship in Atlanta. Hope everyone is ok. #FedExCup pic.twitter.com/gbSFvVJwHO

— Blake (@Bcicles) August 24, 2019

Brooks Koepka was alongside McIlroy on 11 under after also finding the early going tough, recording bogeys on the first and third holes to be two over through five.