Rain cuts event to 18 holes - NW Arkansas Championship 2007

The LPGA Tour shortened the rain-soaked NW Arkansas Championship to 18 holes, setting up a bizarre finish Sunday that will be closed to the public. The tournament was originally scheduled for 54 holes, but it began 4 1/2 hours late Friday. Play was suspended again around 11 a.m. Saturday.

All but 32 players had completed the first round when the second delay began -- and the remaining golfers were expected back Sunday morning to finish. There won't be many people watching them. The public won't have access to the event.

Adam Harris, the tournament's marketing and communications coordinator, cited flooding at parking lots and safety hazards at the Pinnacle Country Club course as reasons for closing off the tournament.

"The course is unplayable, and it's really unwalkable as well," Harris said.

A few golfers will try to play Sunday -- rain was expected again. Stats and money from the event will be unofficial.

Andy Bush, the tournament's executive director, said players are unlikely to receive full payouts. He said the tournament will work with sponsors, players and the tour to determine winnings.

"There is nothing that is mandatory on anybody's part at this point," Bush said.

Money isn't much of a concern to Lewis, who is competing as an amateur. The NCAA champion was atop the leaderboard after a 7-under 65, which she finished Saturday just a few minutes before a heavy downpour sent people scurrying for cover. Lewis was trying to become the first amateur to win an LPGA Tour event since JoAnne Carner in 1969.

One of Lewis' teammates with the Lady Razorbacks served as her caddie.

Jin Young Pak appeared to be the only player with a decent chance to catch Lewis. She was at 5 under with four holes remaining.

Connie Wilson, the LPGA Tour's vice president of communications, said the tour has had 18-hole events before.

"But not in recent memory," she said when reached in Sweden.

Juli Inkster won the Chick-fil-A Charity Championship in 2002 when it was shortened from 54 holes to 36.

At first, Bush said several options would be considered.

"We need to wait out this weather, evaluate the golf course -- figure out how to get in, at a minimum, 36 holes," Bush said. "Obviously, we'd still love to play 54, but as it continues to rain and the hours mount up against us ..."

When reached later, Bush said plans changed because of course conditions.

"Walking down some of those hills we have is not a safe place to be," he said.

At one point, the 18th fairway was flooded. Conditions there improved later in the day after players had left, but large puddles were all over the course.

Eleven players in the 144-person field also will play in the Solheim Cup next weekend in Sweden. Their original plan was to fly out of Arkansas early Sunday evening, but Inkster said shortly after play was suspended Saturday that the Solheim players were prepared to stay until Monday to finish this tournament.

"You can't just back out on a golf tournament," Inkster said. "You're here to support the golf tournament."

But the tournament will definitely end Sunday. Bush said even if rain wipes out play Sunday, no players will be brought back Monday. Bush said organizers were sensitive to concerns about the Solheim Cup, but that it didn't play a major factor in the decision to shorten the tournament.

"It doesn't," Bush said. "We have 133 other women here that are playing in the event."

This tournament, presented by John Q. Hammons, is the LPGA Tour's first visit to Arkansas since the Arkansas Open at Hot Springs in 1956.

Kristy McPherson, Katherine Hull and Teresa Lu shot 66s Friday on the 6,238-yard course and were a stroke behind Lewis. Inkster and Sherri Turner were another stroke back at 67.

U.S. Women's Open champion Cristie Kerr and Natalie Gulbis were among several who finished the first round at 69. Maria Hjorth and Beth Bader both shot 68, and Linda Wessberg was with them at 4 under with one hole remaining in her first round.

"We're going to have a couple more long days ahead of us," Gulbis said after the delay began Saturday.

Now she's done for the weekend.