Snow postpones first round of Accenture Match Play

First-round play of the World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship at The Golf Club at Dove Mountain in Marana, Ariz., was suspended Wednesday at 3:05 p.m. ET due to sleet and snow. Nearly two inches of snow fell, and temperatures ranged from the high 30s to low 40s, as winds gusted up to 35 miles per hour.

Only 10 of the 32 matches failed to start, including Tiger Woods versus Charles Howell III. Those matches will now begin Thursday morning, with three-time winner Woods facing Howell III at 1:50 p.m. ET.

Second-round matches will begin Thursday afternoon.

The extended forecast calls for clear skies but cool temperatures. Tournament officials still expect a winner to be determined on Sunday.

“I don’t think we’ll have any problems if the weather remains nice,” said Mark Russell, the PGA TOUR’s vice president of rules and competition.