Typhoon-hit Taifong Open golf reduced to 54 holes

Chang Hwa (Chinese Taipei), July 23 (IANS) The $160,000 Taifong Open golf tournament has been reduced to 54 holes with the first round starting Friday following inclement weather caused by Typhoon Matmo, which hit Chinese Taipei Wednesday.

Officials decided to reschedule the opening round to Friday to ensure that the Taifong Golf Club is in playable condition for the Asian Development Tour (ADT) event.

"Due to the adverse weather conditions caused by Typhoon Matmo which lashed Taiwan on Wednesday morning, the course at the Taifong Golf Club has to undergo an extensive restoration to ensure proper playing conditions before we can start the tournament," explained Adnan Othman, the Taifong Open Tournament Director.

"The restoration can only begin Thursday as Typhoon Matmo is expected to leave Chinese Taipei by then. Because of this, we have decided to reduce the Taifong Open to a 54-hole tournament and to start the first round Friday," Adnan added.

The Taifong Open will be the second ADT event in 2014 to be reduced to 54 holes after the PGM (Professional Golf of Malaysia) CCM Rahman Putra Championship in Malaysia earlier this year.

"This is my first encounter with a typhoon! It didn't really affect me. I guess I will have to make use of the free time to do more stretching. Hopefully I can get some practice tomorrow," said Pavit Tangkamolprasert of Thailand, an ADT winner.

ADT Order of Merit leader Chan Shih-chang of Chinese Taipei remains focused on winning his fourth ADT title despite the weather conditions.

"I think the local players are used to situations like this because we get quite a bit of typhoons here. It's pretty much the same for me. I will still work towards my goal with the same mindset and attitude," said Chan.

Typhoon Matmo is the first typhoon to make landfall in Chinese Taipei this year. Winds of up to 173 kmph forced financial markets, offices and schools to be shut down while the Taifong Open's pro-am was also cancelled Wednesday.