Lightning strike during PGA Tour Championship injures 6, halts play

Six spectators were injured from a lightning strike during the PGA Tour Championship at the East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta on Saturday afternoon. The bolt reportedly struck a 60-foot pine tree, sending debris flying.

In a PGA Tour statement on Sunday morning, the Atlanta Police Department and Atlanta Fire and Rescue confirmed that five individuals were injured and transported to nearby hospitals; a sixth person was treated and released at the scene.

The PGA said the injuries do not appear to be life-threatening and that a PGA weather forecaster helped make the decision to halt play.

"There was dual lightning strikes, one at the maintenance area, one near the 16th tee and driving range, struck a tree, and knocked debris off that three and injured six people," Mark Russell, a PGA vice president for rules and competition, told reporters. "We have a meteorologist on staff with very sophisticated equipment. The safety of the spectators, the players, the volunteers and our staff is of utmost importance."

The golf tournament's third round had been stalled for about 30 minutes in a weather delay due to dangerous weather when the lightning struck. Officials suspended play for the rest of Saturday after the incident.

The tree that was struck stands by the 16th hole.

Atlanta Police spokesman James H. White III told the Associated Press that five men and one female juvenile had been taking shelter under the tree, and all six had been injured when the lightning struck. White said all of them had been "alert, conscious and breathing" when they were taken to the hospital for further treatment.

"This event shows the importance of all outdoor venues, events, and stadiums having a lightning safety plan which can be immediately activated in advance of lightning arriving," AccuWeather Vice President of Business Services and General Manger of Enterprise Solutions Jonathan Porter said.

According to Porter, being under a tree is not a safe place to seek shelter from lightning.

"Trees themselves are frequently struck, therefore its important to seek shelter in places such as inside a home, business, or automobile," Porter said.

Justin Thomas was the leader at time of stoppage and told reporters that the entire clubhouse shook from thunder, according to the Associated Press.

"The first I heard anything was from one of my friends who came out to watch," Thomas said. "He said, 'Dude, I think someone got struck by lightning right next to us.' And then word started spreading."

If you hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning and need to move indoors right away.

Play resumed on Sunday and the tournament finished without further incident.

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