Rocket Mortgage Classic to go on as planned despite air quality concerns across Michigan
The 2023 Rocket Mortgage Classic will go on as planned despite major air quality concerns across Michigan, according to the tournament.
Detroit, the home of the PGA Tour's golf tournament this week, had the second worst air quality in the world Wednesday morning according to IQAir, a Swiss company that monitors air quality across the world. As of about noon, Detroit had an index score of 232 which is "very unhealthy" air according to the website. The index improved to 165 by 2:30 p.m. and rated "unhealthy."
Like every PGA Tour tournament, there is a meteorologist on-site, and times are subject to change depending on their forecasts. However, at this time there are no plans to change the times or dates of the Rocket Mortgage Classic. Wednesday's events included the Detroit Community Days and the Delta Dental Pro-Am, with the first round of four-day tournament play to begin Thursday morning at 6:45 a.m., featuring 10 of the top-35 players in the world.
The air quality concerns stem from the Canadian wildfires and smoke that has made its way to the American Midwest. Nearby cities, including Chicago and Minneapolis, ranked just below Detroit at No. 3 and 4 respectively Wednesday morning. Alongside Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the cities continue to rotate through the top four spots.
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Detroit's air quality alert has been extended through Thursday as forecasters predict more wildfire smoke.
The sky around metro Detroit was hazy and gray Wednesday with the lingering smell of smoke. The smell of smoke was heavy Tuesday at Detroit Golf Club during the tournament's celebrity scramble.
The National Weather Service has issued an air quality alert as well as a hazardous weather outlook for Detroit. According to the alert "sensitive groups, such as people with lung disease (including asthma), heart disease, and children and older adults should limit prolonged or heavy exertion."
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Organizations across the city have adapted to the hazardous conditions by moving activities indoors or canceling them. Ahead of the NHL draft's first round Wednesday night, the Detroit Red Wings made the announcement to move their watch party indoors at Little Caesars Arena.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Rocket Mortgage Classic to go on as planned despite air quality concerns
