Pinnacle Country Club, Rogers, Arkansas, September 21, 2025
News Summary
The Walmart NW Arkansas Championship faced cancellation due to heavy rainfall that rendered the Pinnacle Country Club course unplayable. Only one full round of the originally scheduled three-round event was completed before storms intervened. Despite players showing promising scores, the LPGA declared the tournament unofficial, with no winner or points distributed towards the Race to the CME Globe Tour Championship. The tournament will still distribute prize money to participants, softening the blow after the disappointing outcome.
Rogers, Ark. — Weather Forces Cancellation of Walmart NW Arkansas Championship After First Round
Stormy skies and soggy turf stole the show at Pinnacle Country Club this weekend. Golf fans were left staring at umbrellas and empty fairways after a weather wipeout turned a planned 54-hole battle into a weekend-long waiting game that never ended.
The Walmart NW Arkansas Championship was canceled due to rain, with 3¼ inches falling overnight on an already water-logged course at Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers, Ark. The downpour was the headline — and the final word.
Only one full round of the originally scheduled three-round, 54-hole event was completed. Players managed to finish the opening 18, but the course never recovered enough for what came next.
On Saturday things began to fall apart again. Eight groups had completed at least one hole of their second round when play was suspended on Saturday afternoon due to dangerous weather conditions. That suspension turned into a shutdown.
LPGA officials announced on Sunday that the tournament could not continue, declaring the course unplayable. The announcement was blunt and it closed the curtain early.
The LPGA stated it was highly unlikely that sufficient holes could be played to make it an official event based on the weather forecast for the remainder of the day and Monday and Tuesday. Forecasts were unforgiving and left organizers with little choice.
Only players’ scores from the first 18 holes will be counted, deeming the event unofficial. That meant no official winner, even though leaders emerged on the scoreboard.
No points will be awarded towards the Race to the CME Globe Tour Championship. For many pros, that was a big loss beyond just a missed trophy.
Money, however, wasn’t left hanging. The tournament will still distribute prize money as per cancellation agreements, and sponsors Walmart and P&G plan to compensate every professional in the field irrespective of their standing after 18 holes. That move softened the blow for players who traveled and competed in tough conditions.
What happened on the leaderboard?
Alison Lee played three holes of the second round at one under and had a total of eight-under following a first-round score of 64. Her hot start put her in the spotlight as the weather closed in.
Alison Lee’s score tied her with first-round co-leaders Sarah Schmelzel and Minami Katsu, who both opened with scores of 63 but had not yet teed off. That left an odd snapshot: three players locked at the top, but no chance to settle it on the course.
Despite finishing as co-champions, Schmelzel and Katsu will not receive official wins due to the cancellation. The record books will not show this as an official victory.
Players react, history repeats
Player reactions included Nelly Korda expressing gratitude toward the tournament for their care during the week, despite the unfortunate ending. Players appreciated the staff and sponsors even if the ending stung.
Weather has pulled this trick before. The last tournament shortened to 36 holes due to weather before this incident was the 2018 Volunteers of America LPGA Texas Classic, won by Sung Hyun Park. And the NW Arkansas event itself has history with cancellations.
This was not the first time the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship was reduced to an unofficial event; in 2007, it occurred in the tournament’s inaugural year, with Stacy Lewis “winning” with a seven-under 65. The 2007 event is often remembered for that strange, rain-marred finish.
Stacy Lewis announced her retirement from the LPGA Tour earlier in the week. The timing added a poignant note to a weekend already heavy with disruption.
In short: soggy course, limited play, no official winner, prize money paid. The professionals will move on, fans will wonder what might have been, and the Pinnacle’s turf crew will spend days getting the property back in shape.
Takeaway
If there’s a silver lining, it’s that tournament organizers and sponsors followed cancellation agreements and ensured payouts, while players got credit only for what was played. But for fans who wanted drama on the final day, the weather had other plans.
FAQ
Q: Why was the tournament canceled?
A: The Walmart NW Arkansas Championship was canceled due to rain, with 3¼ inches falling overnight on an already water-logged course at Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers, Ark.
Q: How many rounds were completed?
A: Only one full round of the originally scheduled three-round, 54-hole event was completed.
Q: Were any second-round holes played?
A: Eight groups had completed at least one hole of their second round when play was suspended on Saturday afternoon due to dangerous weather conditions.
Q: What did LPGA officials say?
A: LPGA officials announced on Sunday that the tournament could not continue, declaring the course unplayable.
Q: Will this count as an official event?
A: The LPGA stated it was highly unlikely that sufficient holes could be played to make it an official event based on the weather forecast for the remainder of the day and Monday and Tuesday.
Q: Which scores will be counted?
A: Only players’ scores from the first 18 holes will be counted, deeming the event unofficial.
Q: Do players get points toward the Race to the CME Globe?
A: No points will be awarded towards the Race to the CME Globe Tour Championship.
Q: Will prize money still be distributed?
A: The tournament will still distribute prize money as per cancellation agreements, and sponsors Walmart and P&G plan to compensate every professional in the field irrespective of their standing after 18 holes.
Q: Who was leading when play stopped?
A: Alison Lee played three holes of the second round at one under and had a total of eight-under following a first-round score of 64.
Q: Who were the co-leaders?
A: Alison Lee’s score tied her with first-round co-leaders Sarah Schmelzel and Minami Katsu, who both opened with scores of 63 but had not yet teed off.
Q: Will the co-leaders receive official wins?
A: Despite finishing as co-champions, Schmelzel and Katsu will not receive official wins due to the cancellation.
Q: What did players say?
A: Player reactions included Nelly Korda expressing gratitude toward the tournament for their care during the week, despite the unfortunate ending.
Q: Has this happened before?
A: The last tournament shortened to 36 holes due to weather before this incident was the 2018 Volunteers of America LPGA Texas Classic, won by Sung Hyun Park.
Q: Has the NW Arkansas event been unofficial before?
A: This was not the first time the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship was reduced to an unofficial event; in 2007, it occurred in the tournament’s inaugural year, with Stacy Lewis “winning” with a seven-under 65.
Q: Any notable retirements this week?
A: Stacy Lewis announced her retirement from the LPGA Tour earlier in the week.
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Quick Facts Table
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Pinnacle Country Club, Rogers, Ark. |
| Rainfall | 3¼ inches overnight |
| Rounds completed | Only one full round |
| Event status | Unofficial — only scores from first 18 holes counted |
| Points | No points toward the Race to the CME Globe Tour Championship |
| Prize money | Distributed per cancellation agreements; Walmart and P&G compensating all professionals |
| Leaders | Alison Lee (eight-under after 18), tied with Sarah Schmelzel and Minami Katsu |
| Historical note | Also reduced to unofficial event in 2007; last 36-hole weather-shortened was 2018 Volunteers of America LPGA Texas Classic |
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