Tropical storm swamps LPGA’s Toto Japan Classic, event shortened to 54 holes

The LPGA Tour is about as far from Hurricane-battered Florida as you can get this week, but if you thought that made them safe from bad weather, think again.

This week’s LPGA event is the Toto Japan Classic, which is being played at Seta Golf Course. Unfortunately, something else is making its presence known in that area of the world this week, too: Typhoon Kong-rey.

On Thursday, the powerful storm slammed into Taiwan and Indonesia, packing 125 mph winds, equivalent to a Category 3 Hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean, according to CNN. It was the strongest storm to strike Taiwan in three decades and left flooding, death and destruction in its path.

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The storm decreased in intensity to a tropical storm as it moved on toward Japan, but the LPGA wasn’t completely spared. Torrential rains soaked Seta Golf Course, and Friday night the LPGA and JLPGA released a joint statement announcing that Saturday’s play would be canceled due to the storm, and the tournament would be reduced to 54 holes.

You can read the full statement below.

“The LPGA Rules, JLPGA Rules and Seta Golf Course teams have assessed the golf course and have determined that Seta Golf Course will be closed on Saturday due to the effects of Tropical Storm Kong-Rey.

“The third round of the TOTO Japan Classic is suspended until Sunday, Nov. 3, and the tournament has been shortened to 54 holes. Pairings will remain the same for Sunday, but starting times will be adjusted.”

As the statement revealed, play will resume on Sunday (Saturday night in the U.S.), but that will be the final round played at the tournament.

Through two rounds, Japan’s Hana Wakimoto holds a two-shot lead over two players tied at 11 under: two-time major winner Ariya Jutanugarn and American Yealimi Noh.