Bushfire smoke wreaks havoc at Australian golf tournament

Deadly fires first broke out in New South Wales several weeks ago and continue to blaze across the state as the Australian summer approaches.

New Zealander Ryan Chisnall, who suffers from asthma, struggled to breathe in the conditions at the Australian Open in Sydney and was handed a mask by a spectator midway through his first round.

'I don't know if (the mask) helped, but I gave it a whirl for a bit and tried it out,' Chisnall, who shot one under par, was quoted as saying in the Sydney Morning Herald. 'I was always going to just keep going.



https://crafterdepot.com/crafter-depot-groups/downloadmp3-black-pistol-fire-black-pistol-fire-album-download/
https://crafterdepot.com/crafter-depot-groups/zip-downloadmp3-the-last-emperor-haak-filmore-jungle-jim-season-1-album-download/
https://crafterdepot.com/crafter-depot-groups/downloadmp3-jab-currents-ep-album-download/


'It's pretty bruising. It's an emotional roller coaster and you go through ups and downs. Physically I feel fine. It's just the constant cough. By the end of the day the head starts to hurt a little bit because you're coughing so much.'

READ: Tiger Woods says his kids don't talk about his Masters win

As of Thursday, the New South Wales Rural Fire Service reported 117 bushfires still burning across the region, 60 of which remain uncontained.

The air quality at the Australian Golf Club was deemed good as play got under way, but it deteriorated throughout the day as wind blew smoke across the course.

'I'm not sure what the forecast is, but the smoke's not good at all,' said Australian Matt Jones, who finished tied for second on four under.

'It's tough to see your golf ball when you're out there playing, where it finishes. Your eyes do burn. I've got that cough like you've got something in your lungs, phlegm in your lungs or whatever, but it's not fun.

'I hope my kids are inside the hotel room.'

READ: Tiger Woods -- a tumultuous 10 years from scandal to redemption

World No. 14 Paul Casey, the highest-ranked golfer in the field, downplayed the impact the conditions had on his game.

'It was tough out there, but I feel more for those who are right next to the fires,' the Englishman told reporters.

'So you're not going to hear me complain about it. Apart from stinging eyes it had no effect on our golf.'

Chinese Taipei's Yu Chun-an and Japan's Takumi Kanaya -- both amateurs -- share the lead on six under par after the first day in Sydney.

Visit CNN.com/sport for more news, videos and features

Head of Golf Australia, Stephen Pitt, had said before the tournament that the outlook was 'really optimistic,' adding organizers would continue to monitor conditions.

READ: Tiger Woods -- a tumultuous 10 years from scandal to redemption The air quality at the Australian Golf Club was deemed good as play got under way, but it deteriorated throughout the day as wind blew smoke across the course. 'It's tough to see your golf ball when you're out there playing, where it finishes. Your eyes do burn. I've got that cough like you've got something in your lungs, phlegm in your lungs or whatever, but it's not fun. Visit CNN.com/sport for more news, videos and features World No. 14 Paul Casey, the highest-ranked golfer in the field, downplayed the impact the conditions had on his game. Visit CNN.com/sport for more news, videos and features 'It was tough out there, but I feel more for those who are right next to the fires,' the Englishman told reporters. Deadly fires first broke out in New South Wales several weeks ago and continue to blaze across the state as the Australian summer approaches. New Zealander Ryan Chisnall, who suffers from asthma, struggled to breathe in the conditions at the Australian Open in Sydney and was handed a mask by a spectator midway through his first round. 'I hope my kids are inside the hotel room.' Visit CNN.com/sport for more news, videos and features The air quality at the Australian Golf Club was deemed good as play got under way, but it deteriorated throughout the day as wind blew smoke across the course. 'I'm not sure what the forecast is, but the smoke's not good at all,' said Australian Matt Jones, who finished tied for second on four under. Deadly fires first broke out in New South Wales several weeks ago and continue to blaze across the state as the Australian summer approaches. Visit CNN.com/sport for more news, videos and features Deadly fires first broke out in New South Wales several weeks ago and continue to blaze across the state as the Australian summer approaches. Chinese Taipei's Yu Chun-an and Japan's Takumi Kanaya -- both amateurs -- share the lead on six under par after the first day in Sydney. 'I don't know if (the mask) helped, but I gave it a whirl for a bit and tried it out,' Chisnall, who shot one under par, was quoted as saying in the Sydney Morning Herald. 'I was always going to just keep going. READ: Tiger Woods says his kids don't talk about his Masters win 'It's pretty bruising. It's an emotional roller coaster and you go through ups and downs. Physically I feel fine. It's just the constant cough. By the end of the day the head starts to hurt a little bit because you're coughing so much.'

#newsupdatenow