Jon Rahm's stunning approach shot on hole 15 creates an easy birdie, which gives him a part of the lead at Northern Trust. (0:30).
JERSEY CITY (N.J.) -- Liberty National was spared the brunt from Hurricane Henri's winds, but it did not suffer the rain that caused The Northern Trust's final round to be canceled on Monday.
This was the hope.
The tournament could be moved to Tuesday if the weather or conditions are not favorable. 6:19 According to the tour, spectators will not be permitted for the final round due to 6 inches of rain and the possibility of more overnight. This has made it impossible for people to walk the routes.
Jay Monahan, PGA Tour commissioner, sent a memo to players Sunday night stating that he was amending the bad-weather guidelines to allow for a Tuesday end regardless of how much golf was played Monday.
Monahan mentioned the importance of the FedEx Cup playoffs and their sequential nature in making an exception from the guidelines.
Jon Rahm finished Saturday's third round tied at 16-under 197 with Cameron Smith, one shot ahead Erik van Rooyen.
Before the third round began, the PGA Tour determined that Henri posed too great a danger to players, spectators, and volunteers to be at Liberty National Sunday. Officials visited the Hudson River course and found it in good condition.
John Mutch, the official in charge of the event's rules for the PGA Tour, said that it was "really good for 5 inches rain." "They were still working on the bunkers while I was there. There isn't much standing water. It was a pleasant surprise. It's worse than I imagined."
Rain continued to fall into Sunday afternoon. The tour released tee times at 7:30 AM with threesomes beginning on both sides.
The course was constructed on landfill, and drains fairly well.
Preparing for Henri was no easy task. It was downgraded from a tropical storm just before it made landfall Sunday in Rhode Island.
After Smith set the course record at 60, Rahm was second at 67 with a par and Rahm tied for second at 67. Workers at Liberty National worked hard into Saturday night to secure any possible breakers.
Portable toilets were wrapped and fastened. The ShotLink cameras, which measure every shot on each hole, were removed. All of the lines that ran from the bridge to Manhattan to the practice range to the walkway were taken down.
These must be replaced before the final round of voting can begin.
It was a rare day for players. In the fall of 2019, the entire final round was washed away at the Zozo Championship in Tokyo. Aronimink, Philadelphia's BMW Championship, was washed out on Sunday. This resulted in a Monday finish. The decision to postpone the race was not made in advance.
Many players were staying in Manhattan. Manhattan is a great place to wait out delays, but it was difficult to get around.
The PGA Tour postseason had a lot at stake. After this tournament, the FedEx Cup standings will determine which 70 players advance to the BMW Championship. It starts in Baltimore on Thursday.
Keith Mitchell was No. 101. He currently sits in a six-way tie at 11th and is expected to climb to No. He would be eligible for the BMW Championship if he reached 69. Tom Hoge was No. 108, and in a three way tie for sixth at Liberty National. 57
Van Rooyen was in a position to win at the lead by one shot, and his travel plans suddenly became less complicated.
At No. 76, the South African arrived at Liberty National. 76, and plans to play next week at Baltimore or in Switzerland for the Omega European Masters.
Van Rooyen was awarded the Barracuda Championship just two weeks ago, his first PGA Tour title. He appeared certain that he would extend his tour season with the quadruple points.
