The Thompson Tide: Weird Goings on at the Byron Nelson

Friday, May 29, 2015

Weird Goings on at the Byron Nelson

Michael Thompson hits his tee shot on the 14th hole during Round Two of the AT&T Byron Nelson at the TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas on May 29, 2015 in Irving, Texas. (May 28, 2015 - Source: Tom Pennington/Getty Images North America) - Note the discoloration of the water drenched fairway being used as a tee box.

by Roz Roberts III

Another four and half inches of rain overnight in Dallas has some interesting side effects at the AT&T Byron Nelson today. The course required a three hour delay to help it dry out a bit and then the PGA Tour determined that the fairway on the par four 14th hole was unplayable. They decided to put a tee box at the end of the fairway and converted the par four hole into a 105 yard par 3. The result was that par changed from 70 to 69 between rounds one and two. This had the weird side effect of breaking the tour's ShotLink system which affected their scoreboard, Shot Tracker, and their new fantasy golf game based on the ShotLink data.

More rain is forecast for tomorrow. Round two still needs to be completed before the cut is made and groupings are set.

Caddie Matt Hughes mans the flag on hole 4 as Michael Thompson attempts a birdie putt during round two of the AT&T Byron Nelson.

Despite the weird goings on, Michael Thompson successfully navigated the water logged course and finished the day with a three under par 66. For most of the day, Michael Thompson was treading water at the AT&T Byron Nelson. He had an early birdie on the par three fifth hole but he followed with a bogey on the sixth hole. He then made pars at the next six holes. After twelve holes, Michael was sitting at even par for the round but was losing ground to the field since scoring was so good. But that's when his round got going. He birdied the par three thirteenth hole and then eagled the par five sixteenth. He finished the round at three under par which has him currently tied for 18th at five under par for the tournament.

Michael Thompson hits his tee shot on the ninth hole during Round Two of the AT&T Byron Nelson at the TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas on May 29, 2015 in Irving, Texas. (May 28, 2015 - Source: Tom Pennington/Getty Images North America)