Extreme 40 mph Wind Gusts Suspend Final Round of the 2026 Butterfield Bermuda Championship

The final round of the 2026 Butterfield Bermuda Championship at Port Royal Golf Course was suspended on Sunday, October 25, after 40 mph wind gusts rendered the coastal layout unplayable. Tournament officials delayed the start and ultimately called off the day’s play, leaving co-leaders Seamus Power and Austin Smotherman at 16 under par waiting for a Monday finish to decide the $6 million purse.

What the Port Royal Golf Course suspension means for the FedExCup Fall leaderboard

The suspension leaves a tightly packed leaderboard in limbo, with the ultimate prize carrying significant implications for the players’ careers. Seamus Power, who previously won this tournament in 2022, shares the lead at 16 under par with Austin Smotherman. Smotherman enters the final round with immense momentum, having recently claimed his first career PGA Tour victory at the Bank of Utah Championship.

That victory in Utah moved him up the priority ranking in the FedExCup Fall standings, but securing his playing privileges for the 2027 season remains a primary objective. According to Golf Today, only players ranked 51 and beyond from the FedExCup Standings through the Playoffs can earn points during the FedExCup Fall. A strong finish in Bermuda is critical for Smotherman to lock in his status.

The pressure is not limited to the final group. There are currently 14 players within four shots of the lead, creating a highly volatile leaderboard. Tour veterans like Corey Conners and Chris Kirk are positioned to capitalize on any mistakes made by the leaders when play resumes. The density of the chasing pack ensures that Monday’s conditions will heavily dictate the champion.

How the 40 mph Bermuda weather forecast forced the PGA Tour decision

The suspension was the culmination of a deteriorating weather pattern that intensified throughout the week. While Thursday and Friday featured manageable conditions, the weekend brought severe Atlantic weather systems directly over the island. Saturday saw sustained winds of 20-25 mph, setting the stage for a difficult Sunday.

Weather analyst Kevin Roth predicted Sunday would feature sustained winds around 30 mph, climbing well past 40 mph by the afternoon. Attempting to beat the worst of the weather, the PGA Tour initially pushed tee times forward to a 7:45 a.m. ET start. However, the severe gusts arrived earlier than anticipated, making it impossible to safely navigate the exposed holes.

The PGA Tour suspended the final round of the Butterfield Bermuda Championship shortly after the updated tee times were announced. In their official statement, the Tour noted:

"With no improvement to the current weather conditions and anticipated further deterioration, “there will be no play today”." — PGA Tour

The Royal Gazette confirmed that Port Royal Golf Course remained closed while officials continuously monitored the dangerous gusts. The PGA Tour also stated that "final round tee times for the Butterfield Bermuda Championship on Sunday, October 25, have been delayed" due to the severe weather, with the next update scheduled for 5:00 p.m. local time.

How Adam Schenk navigated the Port Royal Golf Course in similar 45 mph winds

To understand what the leaders might face on Monday, it is highly instructive to look at the recent history of this specific venue. The official tournament notes list Port Royal Golf Course as a par-71 layout measuring 6,828 yards. Its positioning right on the coast makes it highly vulnerable to extreme crosswinds and headwinds.

This is not the first time the wind has completely dictated play here. Golfweek reported that Adam Schenk faced 45 mph gusts during his victory at this exact tournament in 2025. Schenk’s performance in those conditions serves as a masterclass in elite course management.

Rather than trying to overpower the wind, Schenk adapted his ball flight. He hit low layups on the par-5 17th that barely got three feet off the ground, flighted his wedges downwind, and played delicate chips back into the breeze when he found himself out of position. He physically contorted his body and manipulated his wrists to keep the ball trajectory under the wind. If the 40 mph gusts persist on Monday, the winner will be the player who most closely replicates Schenk’s creative, low-flight strategy.

What amateur golfers can learn from PGA Tour wind management strategies

As a coach, I frequently see recreational golfers make the same critical error when the wind picks up: they try to swing harder to fight the breeze. This instinct increases backspin, which causes the ball to balloon upward and lose significant distance. When you watch professionals like Adam Schenk manage extreme conditions, the lesson for the amateur is clear—smoothness and trajectory control beat raw power every time.

Here are practical, accepted coaching principles you can apply the next time you face high winds on your home course:

• Club up and swing easy: If you are hitting into a 20 mph headwind, take one or two clubs more than you normally would and make a smooth, three-quarter swing. This reduces the spin rate and helps the ball pierce through the wind rather than fighting it.
• Position the ball back in your stance: Moving the ball a half-inch back toward your trail foot helps deloft the clubface at impact. A less lofted club naturally produces a lower, more penetrating ball flight.
• Widen your stance and choke down: To maintain balance in gusty conditions, widen your stance slightly and choke down an inch on the grip. This gives you greater control over the clubhead and prevents you from being pushed off balance during your swing.
• Accept your score and play smart: Course management in the wind means taking your medicine. If you miss your target and end up behind trees or in thick rough, do not attempt a heroic, low punch shot through a tiny gap. Play a safe chip back into the fairway and accept the bogey.

Playing the course as you find it is a fundamental principle of the Rules of Golf. When conditions are beyond your control, managing your expectations and executing a conservative game plan is the most effective way to protect your scorecard.

The PGA Tour will provide the next update regarding Monday’s tee times no later than 5:00 p.m. local time on Sunday. Whether the final round is completed on Monday or pushed further into the week, the ultimate champion will be the player who best adapts to Port Royal‘s demanding coastal environment.