Farmingdale, June 19: Heavy rains forced an early end to first-round play Thursday in the 109th US Open as water-logged Bethpage Black became unpla yable and stars such as Tiger Woods battled through a deluge.
Soaked spectators braved intense showers to watch a super group of reigning major champions navigate the 7,426-yard par-70 course but rain swamped holes so badly that one green had a flagpole in the center of a pond.
“The volume of rain falling was outpacing our ability to squeegee the greens,” said USGA championship committee chairman Jim Hyler. “The greens just became unplayable.”
Defending champion Woods began by salvaging an impressive par at the first after sending his opening shot of the day 50 yards left into a concession area. He found a bunker and made it up and down for par.
When the round was halted for the day after a near-four-hour suspension following barely three hours of activity, Woods stood two strokes off the pace at one-over through six holes.
Sweden’s Johan Edfors birdied the par-5 fourth to reach one-under after four and share the lead with Canada’s Andrew Parr, who completed three holes, and Americans Ryan Spears, who finished three, and Jeff Brehaut, who finished 11 in the first group off the 10th tee.
“It’s pretty miserable out there,” said England’s Lee Westwood, who opened with back-to-back bogeys and stood two-over through five holes.
“The ball keeps picking up mud and then squirting out sideways, so it’s a difficult mental battle. Have to say, it’s not too disappointing to be taken off the course.”
World number one Woods seeks his 15th major title, which would put him three shy of the career record 18 won by Jack Nicklaus, and a fourth US Open crown to match the record held by Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Bobby Jones and Willie Anderson.
Grounds workers lost their battle with Mother Nature on a day better suited for Olympic swimming star Michael Phelps than golf’s greatest players, Bethpage Black becoming a swampy mess as players and spectators slogged along.
Half the field of 156 had yet to start, including Phil Mickelson, a fan favorite in his last event before wife Amy undergoes breast cancer surgery early next month, and Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke.
“I’m going to try and relax for the day now, maybe go to the gym, just try and stay out of the bar,” Clarke said.
Officials had hoped for afternoon clearing to ease the saturated situation but heavy showers continued and rain was expected to extend at least to Monday with thunderstorms at the weekend.
“Based on the amount of time we’re losing, I don’t think there’s any way to catch up and make the cut tomorrow,” Hyler said.
A major worry was the condition of the 18th fairway, a low-lying swamp in the best of times and real trouble in a near-submerged Bethpage. Taking relief for imbedded balls could require moving 50 yards from landing areas.
“Eighteen is the real issue,” Hyler said.
A warning sign at the first tee notes Bethpage Black is only for highly skilled players but on this day a sign was needed to warn of diving in without a lifeguard.
Woods hooked his first tee shot into spectator-trampled grass and stared in stunned disbelief for several moments before gathering himself and starting a sloshy trek around the public course where he won the 2002 Open.
After his par rescue at the first, where playing partners Angel Cabrera and Padraig Harrington both took bogeys, Woods made a double bogey at the par-4 fifth, his pushed tee shot finding deep weeds and leading to a missed 12-foot bogey putt.
Woods answered with a birdie at the par-4 sixth from 15 feet after asking for his putting line to be squeegeed. Officials do that, as well as squeegee three feet past the hole, but do not permit lift, clean and place rules.
“We don’t see that as inconsistent,” Hyler said.
Two bogeys and a double bogey had British Open and PGA Championship winner Padraig Harrington of Ireland at four-over after six.
Masters champion Cabrera, dubbed “The Duck” for his waddling gait, was at level par after six, but this was a day not even the Argentine star with the fowl nickname could enjoy.
—Agencies