[PHOTO: Bryan R. Smith]

Understandably concerned for the people and communities in Florida that could be affected by the potential 150mph winds of Hurricane Milton, the LPGA announced overnight that it has postponed its Q-Series qualifying event in Venice, Florida, scheduled for October 15-18.

“Our thoughts are with the entire Florida community as we prepare for the storm,” the tour said in a statement. “…Updates will be announced following a thorough assessment of conditions after the storm passes.”

The Associated Press reported at midday on Tuesday that Hurricane Milton was weakening slightly, “but remains a ferocious storm that could land a once-in-a-century direct hit on Tampa and St Petersburg, engulfing the populous region with towering storm surges and turning debris from Hurricane Helene’s devastation 12 days ago into projectiles”. Milton is already projected to be a billion-dollar disaster, according to America’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Forecasters are predicting that Milton, headed for Florida’s central west coast, could make landfall in cities such as Tampa, St Petersburg and Sarasota by late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning, local time. The storm’s movement would take it across the middle of the state, with Orlando also in its path.

Venice, Florida, where the Q-Series qualifying was scheduled to be played at Plantation Golf & Country Club, is on the west coast, 110 kilometres south of Tampa, putting it on the projected southern edge of Milton’s path.

The 72-hole event at Plantation is the qualifier at which players can advance to the Q-Series Final from December 5-9 in Mobile, Alabama.