Play abandoned at US Open
Tiger Woods could only play six holes
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Thursday, 18, Jun 2009 10:57
Play on the first day of the 109th US Open has been abandoned after heavy rain left the Bethpage Black course waterlogged.
Only three hours and 16 minutes of play were possible in New York with only half of the 156-man field able to start their rounds. Organisers tried their best to dry ever green, but had no choice but to call off play at 14:00 local time (19:00 BST).
"The course is extremely wet," said chairman of the championship committee Jim Hyler.
"It rained pretty much the whole time we were doing the set-up this morning and the forecast is for more rain to come in waves."
The first round will restart early tomorrow at 07:30 (12:30 GMT), although play could be disrupted again as further rain is predicted.
American Jeff Brehaut was one of three players to play 11 holes – the most of any player – and he got to one-under-par and shares the lead with Swede Johan Edfors, Canadian Andrew Parr and American Ryan Spears.
Defending champion Tiger Woods had a difficult start as he got to one-over in the six holes that he managed to play.