Just another day in paradise: Opener delayed again by high wind

Ian Poulter, of England, looks on his cell phone for updates on the event status while on the driving range at the Tournament of Champions PGA golf tournament, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, in Kapalua, Hawaii. He had announced moments earlier to fans looking on that he believed that within minutes it would be announced that play for the day would be canceled. Because of wind, play was canceled for the day after being stopped a day earlier. It has been re-scheduled to begin on Sunday. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) (The Associated Press)

Mark Wilson stretches before using the driving range at the Tournament of Champions PGA golf tournament, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, in Kapalua, Hawaii. Because of wind, play was canceled for the day after being stopped a day earlier. It has been re-scheduled to begin on Sunday. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) (The Associated Press)

Another day in paradise brought yet another delay to the PGA Tour's season opener.

Gusts so strong that rules officials had a hard time walking led to at least a four-hour delay Sunday in the Tournament of Champions, the event that can't get started. The tour's goal was to play 18 holes — hopefully — followed by 36 holes on Monday.

But even as the wind was unrelenting, the prospect of a Tuesday finish entered the equation. Television became a factor, too, as the tour struggled to balance proper coverage of its winners-only event in Kapalua and the Sony Open, which starts Thursday in Honolulu.

Some players stored their clubs and wearily headed back to their hotels, a routine they know all too well.