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Forecasting for the Presidents Cup

Meteorologist Kyle Koval explains what he's looking for this week and weekend.
Credit: AP
Tony Finau hits from the third tee during practice for the Presidents Cup golf tournament at the Quail Hollow Club, Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — When it comes to the PGA tournament and weather, all eyes are on the on-site meteorologist.

Kyle Koval, the PGA meteorologist on site for the Presidents Cup, tells WCNC Charlotte he's thrilled the weather is calm for this year's tournament.

"With a week like this mostly sunny, dry, walk around, enjoy the action out there and not have to sit in front of my computer all day," Koval said. "So it's a little bit relaxing, but it's stressful at the same time."

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The biggest impact this week is the change in wind direction and speed between Thursday and Friday. This has an influence on hole locations and where they place the tees.

Koval said officials make these decisions three to four days in advance, so they need time to make these decisions.

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"So with the northerly wind expected on Thursday, they have certain areas where they can place the holes," Koval said. "And then when we switch around more to the south on the weekend, they have other locations where they can put the hole. So they try to make it fair, but difficult throughout the week."

The humidity and added moisture Thursday also play a factor, especially when you’re dealing with sports turf.

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Keith Wood, the Quail Hollow Superintendent, said that when it's humid, it's hard to get the landscaping and surfaces firm.

"When there's no humidity and dew points are low, the surfaces really firm up because all the soil moisture runs out of the soil right into the atmosphere," Wood explained. 

Now that humidity has lowered behind Thursday's cold front, the humidity should not be a concern.

Contact Brittany Van Voorhees at bvanvoorhe@wcnc.com and follow her on FacebookTwitter and Instagram.

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For the latest breaking news, weather and traffic alerts, download the WCNC Charlotte mobile app.  

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