Three hurt by falling tree at Baltusrol

A nearly 40-foot tree limb fell next to the fourth green at the PGA Championship on Friday, injuring a spectator and two television employees.

The limb sheered off a red oak next to the green and a television tower at Baltusrol Golf Club and fell approximately 60 feet.

A spectator and two members of the Turner/CBS Sports production team were injured, the PGA of America said in a statement.

Frank Choy, a freelance audio technician working for Turner Sports, suffered trauma to his left leg, but no break, and the PGA said he was hospitalized in stable condition. Bob Welsch, who was operating the jib camera under the tree, sustained abrasions to his left forearm and was treated at the site and released. A 60-year-old spectator, who asked not to be identified, was treated at the golf club's medical office for minor bruises on his left arm and released.

The limb fell moments after Tiger Woods played his approach shot on the par-3 hole.

The crowd was reacting to Woods' shot, which spun back toward the pin, and a roar went up as the branch began tearing away from the tree.

Play resumed after a delay of less than 10 minutes.

The tree was inspected and trimmed before the start of the tournament and construction of the greenside TV tower, tournament director Andy Bush said.

The PGA said the tree would be removed before Saturday's third round as a precaution.

Email this page to a friend | Return to top of page