First round washed out

Heavy rains caused cancellation of the first round of the Senior PGA Tour's Royal Caribbean Classic on Friday, the first time in the 15 years that a round in the event was lost to weather.

The tournament was be reduced to 36 holes.

``Given the conditions, there is no way that all 78 players could complete the nine holes required to make the round official,'' said Gene Smith, the senior tour's assistant tournament director.

Three groupings had yet to start when play was called after a second delay at 3:45 p.m.

Tom Purtzer, in his first senior tournament, was leading the field at 4-under through 13 holes when the round was canceled. Bruce Fleisher, Bob Eastwood and Dana Quigley were one shot back.

``What are you going to do?'' Purtzer said. ``It would have been great if I were 4-over. But that's OK.''

The only other delay in the tournament, a 45-minute stoppage for thundershowers, came during the second round in 1996.

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