Weekend wind to hinder repeat of Mickelson's record-tying round at British Open

By Kristina Pydynowski, Senior Meteorologist

July 15,2016; 7:14PM,EDT

 

 

Brisk winds will blow through Royal Troon this weekend, hindering players attempts to repeat Phil Mickelson's record-tying round that started the British Open on Thursday.
After the wettest day of the tournament unfolded on Friday, players and fans will have to deal with a moderate breeze and showery spells for this weekend's rounds.
"West-southwest winds of 10-20 mph (16-32 km/h) are expected each day," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Baker said.
There will be occasional gusts to 25 mph (40 km/h).

A west-southwest wind is a crosswind for most of the holes and could be a factor as players battle for the top of the leaderboard, according to Baker.
"Scoring conditions certainly will not be as good as what they were on Thursday for the first round," he said.
Winds were fairly light on Thursday, which is not typical for the British Open.
"Usually, there is at least a decent breeze at the Open, especially when it is on the coast like Royal Troon is," AccuWeather Meteorologist Brian Thompson said.
Phil Mickelson was among the players that took full advantage of Thursday's favorable playing conditions.
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Mickelson shot an 8-under-par 63 on Thursday, tying the record for the lowest score in a major championship.
There has not been a 62 shot in a major championship, according to ESPN. Mickelson is the 28th player to shot 63 in major championship history. Only eight other players have achieved that feat at the British Open.
Amid the moderate breeze, scattered showers will occasionally dampen Royal Troon this weekend. The showers will likely prove to be more of a nuisance to players and spectators than significantly impacting play.
"The rain will not be continuous with some dry hours each day," Baker said.
Rainfall from the daytime showers will also generally be light.

Phil Mickelson putts and birdies on the 14th green during the second round of the British Open Golf Championship at the Royal Troon Golf Club in Troon, Scotland, Friday, July 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
"When it is raining hard, conditions can be challenging for players because it can be difficult to keep the grips of the clubs dry," Thompson said.
Showers will be most numerous on Saturday night, and should make the course wet for the start of Sunday's final round.
"Wet conditions typically help with scoring as it is easier to get the ball to stop on the greens," Thompson said. "Although, if the wind is blowing, [that advantage] will not matter."
High temperatures this weekend will be around 16-17 C (60-63 F), but the combination of the wind and showers will create lower AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures, according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Courtney Spamer.
"The wind will make anyone who is damp cooler; these conditions could certainly be uncomfortable for the players," she said.