Lightning put an end to the third round of the Tour Championship then gave a mighty close call to a half-dozen spectators.
The PGA Tour halted play around 4:15 and brought the players off the course and fans were advised to seek shelter. Six didn’t get to safety.
A lightning bolt struck a tree near the 15th green and 16th tee. The crash was so loud that multiple players surveying the grounds from a clubhouse balcony visibly shook when it made a huge cracking sound. Daniel Anderson of Marietta, Ga., was up by the 16th green when he heard what he said was a something akin to a sonic boom.
The PGA Tour released a statement saying Emergency Medical crews treated six fans who were injured by debris from the strike and transported them immediately to a nearby hospital for further medical assistance. The injuries did not appear to be life-threatening.
Third-round play has been suspended and will resume at 8 a.m. Sunday morning.
The top contenders got off to slow starts.
Justin Thomas was even par through five holes and at 12-under, took the lead. Brooks Koepka suffered two early bogeys and was two-over for the day and tied with Rory McIlroy at 11-under. McIlroy was one-over through his first five holes. Xander Schauffele was alone at 10-under and one over through his first five holes.
