Some things are bigger than golf, especially across the pond.
The first round of the DP World Tour’s 2022 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club in Surrey, England, was suspended on Thursday at 6:32 p.m. local time, just two minutes after the royal family announced that Queen Elizabeth II had died at 96 years old.
The tour announced that play will be suspended for the rest of Thursday and Friday, “out of respect for Her Majesty and the Royal Family.”
“We are greatly saddened to learn of the passing of Her Majesty today. Following her accession in 1952, Her late Majesty graciously accepted the Patronage of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, as has been the custom of reigning Monarchs since HM King William IV in 1834,” Captain of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club Peter Forster said via a release. “Although not a golfer, Her late Majesty’s 70-year patronage of the Club was a great honour for its Members. We hold His Majesty The King and all The Royal Family in our thoughts at this time of mourning.”
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Thirty players were still on the course when the horn was sounded, while three players sit tied atop the leaderboard at 8 under: Tommy Fleetwood, Andy Sullivan and Viktor Hovland.