Golfers don masks on fairways as smog chokes Beijing's big sporting weekend

    By Tim Hume, CNN

    Updated 0907 GMT (1707 HKT) October 7, 2013

    Germany's Sandra Gal was just one of the golfers spotted wearing masks to guard against air pollution at the Reignwood LPGA Classic in Beijing Sunday.
    Photos: Pollution plagues Beijing's big sports weekend
    The big choke – Germany's Sandra Gal was just one of the golfers spotted wearing masks to guard against air pollution at the Reignwood LPGA Classic in Beijing Sunday.
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    Mariajo Uribe of Colombia was another to take to the fairways wearing a mask during the final round of play of China's first LPGA event.
    Photos: Pollution plagues Beijing's big sports weekend
    The big choke – Mariajo Uribe of Colombia was another to take to the fairways wearing a mask during the final round of play of China's first LPGA event.
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    Swedish tennis player Robert Lindstedt, pictured here at the French Open in May, found the air quality in Beijing untenable, describing it on his blog as "a disaster" and questioning whether he would return to the event.
    Photos: Pollution plagues Beijing's big sports weekend
    The big choke – Swedish tennis player Robert Lindstedt, pictured here at the French Open in May, found the air quality in Beijing untenable, describing it on his blog as "a disaster" and questioning whether he would return to the event.
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    Spectators at the China Open also took to wearing the masks courtside over the weekend, such as this couple watching one of the women's semi-finals Saturday.
    Photos: Pollution plagues Beijing's big sports weekend
    The big choke – Spectators at the China Open also took to wearing the masks courtside over the weekend, such as this couple watching one of the women's semi-finals Saturday.
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    Masks were seen in the crowd Sunday also. This couple were spotted watching Novak Djokovic down Rafael Nadal in the men's final.
    Photos: Pollution plagues Beijing's big sports weekend
    The big choke – Masks were seen in the crowd Sunday also. This couple were spotted watching Novak Djokovic down Rafael Nadal in the men's final.
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    sandra gal smogMariajo Uribe smogrobert lindstedt smogchina open fans smog 1china open smog 2

    Story highlights

    • Beijing's biggest sporting weekend of 2013 was marred by hazardous smog levels
    • Players at an LPGA tournament took to the fairways wearing surgical masks
    • Swedish tennis player Robert Lindstedt called the air quality "a disaster" and "a joke"
    • Event organizer David Shin says