100th PGA Championship forecast: Hot weather to prevail; Storms may delay play at times

By Kevin Byrne, AccuWeather staff writer

August 07, 2018, 12:51:13 PM EDT

The 100th PGA Championship will get underway on Thursday at Bellerive Country Club, located in the western suburbs of St. Louis.

The fourth and final major of the 2018 PGA Tour season will have mainly hot and dry weather for the duration of the tournament, which begins Thursday, Aug. 9, and continues through Sunday, Aug. 12.

Spectators and players out on the course for the practice rounds through Wednesday will experience high temperatures reaching the upper 80s or lower 90s, according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Courtney Travis.

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Following stormy weather and delays in practice rounds on Tuesday, Travis said sunshine will return Wednesday although some showers or storms may linger into the morning hours.

For first round action on Thursday, temperatures in the lower 90s are expected, along with a sunny sky.

The first golfers are slated to tee off shortly before 7 a.m. Thursday. Morning temperatures are forecast to be in the low 80s.

A normal high for this time of year in the area is 88 F. 

In this Aug. 13, 2017, file photo, Justin Thomas hits from the bunker on the 18th hole during the final round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at the Quail Hollow Club, in Charlotte, N.C.

The best chance for rain will occur on Friday and Saturday as the threat for showers and thunderstorms will persist both days, Travis said.

Any rain that falls will dampen the course, which could allow for more aggressive shot attempts by the players since the ball will not likely roll as far on the softer greens and fairways.

Fans headed to Bellerive can download the free AccuWeather app to monitor any approaching storms so you can seek proper shelter from lightning.

Plenty of sunshine will be around for Sunday’s final rounds, offering the opportunity for golfers' ideal weather as they battle for first place.

“Throughout the week and into the weekend, spectators, staff and players should be sure to drink plenty of water in order to remain well hydrated in the heat, and should also wear lightweight clothing and sunblock to protect themselves from the August sunshine,” Travis said.