AT&T National To Be Played Without Fans, Volunteers; More Violent Storms Possible

Rex Hoggard with the update, including split tees at 1 p.m. ET and the decision to keep fans and volunteers away.

According to the Tour’s meteorologist the storm, which began on Friday near Chicago, produced “derecho” winds that gusted to 70 mph around Congressional and had the potential to do tornado-like damage.

The storm arrived at about 10:30 p.m. and lasted just 45 minutes and produced 3/10ths of an inch of rain but the damage to Congressional and the surrounding area was substantial with more than 40 fallen trees at the course. Much of the area, including Congressional’s clubhouse, remained without power.

Russell said the Tour plans to evaluate whether it would be safe to allow fans to attend Sunday’s final round and he still had not determined if any “local rules” would be used on Saturday.

Ryan Ballengee posted some photos of the tree damage on his Facebook page.

Many of the same areas affected on Friday may have to endure yet another round of gusty thunderstorms later today, perhaps even another "derecho" event, according to this Accuweather forecaster.