A typhoon warning isn’t the usual start to a PGA Tour event—but that’s the reality at Yokohama Country Club, where Typhoon Halong is spinning dangerously close to the Baycurrent Classic. With 30 mph gusts, sheets of rain, and pressure falling fast, Thursday’s tee times could turn into a game of survival. The storm sits roughly 150 miles south of Tokyo, but its outer bands are already sweeping through Kanagawa Prefecture, soaking fairways and turning a serene setup into a tactical storm test.

And while play remains on schedule for now, the threat is real. Tournament officials are walking a weather tightrope, monitoring radar every hour as Hideki Matsuyama and the rest of the field brace for crosswinds, delays, and the kind of chaos that can turn a round on its head. For some, it’s disruption — for others, an unexpected chance to prove control amid the tempest.

The Japan Meteorological Agency reports that Typhoon Halong has reached violent strength, with winds near 140 mph and gusts topping 165 mph. The storm is expected to pass about 150 miles south of Tokyo on Thursday, bringing rain bands and swirling winds across Yokohama. Forecasts predict sustained winds of 25–30 mph and gusts up to 39 mph during the first round, alongside an 80% chance of rain. Temperatures will dip to the mid-60s, a sharp contrast to the mild October norm.

Despite the conditions, the PGA Tour hasn’t announced a halt in play. Officials are confident that the course can handle the downpour but have urged players to prepare for disruption. First-round tee times begin at 8:45 a.m. local time, with play from both the first and tenth tees. However, that plan is already in flux. Organizers moved tee times two hours earlier in anticipation of worsening weather. Weather has long tested golf’s patience, with several PGA Tour events halted or reshaped by storms, as seen here.

The storm brings more than just wet grips and heavy air — it changes how the game must be played. Wind direction will dictate club selection, and even short putts could become unpredictable under gusts. “It’s not just about distance this week,” said a Tour official. “It’s about controlling the ball flight and keeping it under the gusts.”

That’s where the control players step forward. Ball-strikers like Matsuyama, Collin Morikawa, and Adam Scott could find opportunity in chaos. Each relies on rhythm and balance — vital when the course demands precision. Slower greens will favor players who can judge pace and flight with finesse rather than force.

For Matsuyama, this week holds particular weight. The home favorite understands these conditions better than most. Growing up in Japan’s coastal climate has shaped his patient, deliberate approach — qualities that could turn the storm into an edge. The question isn’t just who plays best, but who adapts fastest.

Baycurrent Classic: How players are battling typhoon Halong’s fury

Windy golf demands creativity. Players who can flight the ball low and control spin will hold an advantage as gusts sweep through Yokohama Country Club’s 7,315-yard West Course. Its narrow Zoysia fairways and slick bentgrass greens will magnify every gust.

Early forecasts suggest Thursday’s winds could push scores several strokes higher than the Tour average. Analysts expect the cut line to sit at par or worse if conditions persist through the afternoon. The field includes several proven wind performers — Scottie Scheffler, Denny McCarthy, and Si Woo Kim — all of whom rank among the top 15 in approach accuracy when gusts exceed 15 mph. Course officials have also reported that fairway moisture can reduce rollout by up to 20 yards, further emphasizing the importance of shot control over distance.

Those who keep their rhythm and resist forcing shots will rise. The rest may spend Thursday chasing recovery. By Friday, the forecast clears, but until then, every swing will test patience and precision.

For now, all eyes remain on Matsuyama. The storm may not stop play, but it will reveal who thrives when golf meets nature head-on.