Player Anger at Suspension of Play in Dubai

Strong winds had been forecast ahead of Friday at the Dubai Desert Classic, and those challenging conditions duly arrived at the Emirates Golf Club, making scoring extremely difficult for the early starters.

Gusts eventually reached such a level that the European Tour determined to suspend play in the afternoon, with the second wave of players in the early stages of their second rounds. The decision was then made not to resume play until Saturday morning, when the weather is expected to be calm and perfect for golf. 

Perhaps understandably, this derived a harsh response from those who had to face the worst of the conditions, with no chance of reprieve. Former world number one and 23-time winner on the circuit, Lee Westwood was among the most vocal players, electing to make his case on Twitter.

We're balls moving on the greens? https://t.co/YmCQ7nYWrP

— Lee Westwood (@WestwoodLee) February 3, 2017

I think they should push the tees up and recut new holes in the middle of every green too. https://t.co/yOY9ufMsa0

— Lee Westwood (@WestwoodLee) February 3, 2017

It's getting like cricket! We'll be stopping for lunch and tea next! https://t.co/CVF5iylb8T

— Lee Westwood (@WestwoodLee) February 3, 2017

Presently sitting in a tie for 63rd, it now seems likely that the Ryder Cup legend will miss the halfway cut. The Daily Telegraph's James Corrigan was equally perplexed as to why no effort was made to resume player later in the day. 

Off for day. PM wave will come back in perfect Sat am conditions, with greens cut & pure. And those like @WestwoodLee so chuffed for them

— James Corrigan (@jcorrigangolf) February 3, 2017

Four-time European Tour winner, Gregory Bourdy is on the same score as Westwood, and he jumped in on the conversation to make his thoughts clear on the matter.

A bit surprised as well ????! Why suspending the game now? And not trying to restart later.. @EuropeanTour https://t.co/rdrHXrm8XP

— Grégory Bourdy (@gregbourdy) February 3, 2017

2008 Masters champion, Trevor Immelman, who is attempting to rebuild his career on this side of the pond, was another to feel frustrated at what he deemed as an unbalanced draw. 

Suspending play now is ridiculous, half the field played 36 holes in these conditions.

— Trevor Immelman (@TrevorImmelman) February 3, 2017

Martin Kaymer's popular caddie, Craig Connelly had suggestions for what should have been done.

It amazes me that @EuropeanTour can call it day so quickly... usually wait at course all day before they make a decision #nextupdateinanhour

— Craig Connelly (@theweeman77) February 3, 2017

So when the wind blows the 7th tee board into a player, would that not be reason to stop play? No, just you play 36 and we'll call later! ????????

— Craig Connelly (@theweeman77) February 3, 2017

@theweeman77 they can suspend all day and all the players can start the second round tomorrow... what about that @EuropeanTour

— Pablo Larrazabal (@plarrazabal) February 3, 2017

In retrospect, that would have perhaps made more sense. There is always a luck of the draw element to the game, as we regularly see in the Open Championship, but the European Tour's failure to address that perceived inbalance has certainly drawn the ire of its players.