Golfers at
the U.S. Open are in for a long day Friday, and maybe Saturday as well.
Thunderstorms
that rolled across Southern Hills Country Club on Thursday prompted the U.S. Golf
Association to suspend play at 5:17 p.m., with 30 of the 52 threesomes still on
the course.
Those left
on the course among them Tiger Woods, who is seeking his fifth straight major
championship will resume play at 8 a.m., weather permitting.
Then the second
round will begin, with the final group scheduled to tee off at 6:30 p.m. Even
with sunny weather, the round will have to be completed Saturday morning.
"In essence,
we're backing round two up 21/2 hours," said Tom Meeks, the USGA's director of
rules and competitions.
"I know they're
not going to finish. But if we can get the last group and I think we can with
a break in the weather if we can get them through 13 or 14, then the game plan
would be to bring the six or eight groups that are still out there back Saturday
morning."
After those
players are finished, the third round would begin as scheduled.
The Tulsa area
was under a tornado watch much of the day. Play was first stopped at 3:39 p.m.
as storm clouds built. No tornados formed, but lightning and heavy rain lingered.
Meeks said
there were no negative comments by the players when they were informed.
"I must admit,
I congratulate the players for their positive attitude on realizing we've got
a tough thing to try to get back on schedule," he said.
The National
Weather Service said the rain could continue into the evening. The forecast for
Friday called for sunny skies with temperatures in the upper 80s.
Meeks said
if there is casual water throughout the golf course, the resumption of the first
round might have to be delayed even longer.
"I think we
can get back close to schedule tomorrow," he said. "Again, I'm being very optimistic,
because I certainly don't want to look at the other side until I have to."
He said the
USGA would not send golfers off on two tees for the second round because of the
large field. He also said the players "absolutely" would not be allowed to lift,
clean and place their golf balls.
"We will not
sacrifice the game of golf and the foundation of golf by doing that," he said.
