The Madeira Islands Open – Portugal – BPI was reduced to 36 holes, with the cut to fall at the conclusion of Round One on Sunday morning, after persistent fog played havoc with The European Tour’s 1,500th event.
After day one was abandoned due to heavy fog all day, Round One got underway on Friday but not before further delays, as more clouds moved in on the mountain-top Clube de Golf do Santo da Serra in the morning.
Play was eventually halted at 8:00pm on Friday evening when more fog settled on the course and Round One once again resumed on Saturday at 12:00pm, after another delay in the morning.
Two more suspensions followed on Saturday, the latest coming at 4:38pm and as the fog continued, play was suspended overnight, with the first round set to resume at 8:00am on Sunday morning.
Jose Maria Zamora, The European Tour’s Tournament Director, said: “Due to the very long delays throughout this tournament, a decision was made to reduce the tournament to 36 holes, with a cut after 18 holes.
“We have made a decision which will give us the best possible chance of a satisfactory conclusion to what has been an extremely long and trying week for everyone so far.
“The European Tour’s regulations state that it is at the Tournament Director’s discretion to make a decision in order to ensure the conclusion to the tournament.
“We hope now that the weather will be more favourable and we can enjoy an exciting climax to The European Tour’s 1,500th event.”
