FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — Martin Kaymer lined up his 25-foot birdie putt, stood over the ball, sent it rolling toward the hole . . . and watched water splash into the air. His ball essentially hydroplaned across the green, an innovative if not desirable way to compete in the U.S. Open.
This is the thorny predicament facing USGA officials over the next several days at waterlogged Bethpage Black as they try to stage America’s national championship in a 7,426-yard swimming pool.
“It’s going to be terrible, but everyone has to go through it,” said Kaymer, a 24-year-old German who slogged through nine holes Thursday. “It’s going to be long and wet. I hope we can finish four rounds.”
Not along ago, the story lines seemed so tantalizing — Tiger Woods chasing his 15th major title, Phil Mickelson trying to win for his cancer-stricken wife, the world’s best players tackling a beastly course in front of boisterous galleries. Now, as Kaymer suggested, the dominant question is less alluring: Can they finish this thing? Only half the field (78 players) even stepped onto the course Thursday. Mother Nature hijacked the Open, unleashing relentless rain and strong winds on Long Island. USGA officials suspended play at 10:15 a.m. (EDT) and called off play for the day at 1:55 p.m., knowing more storms loomed on the horizon.
No golfer completed more than 11 holes, with Jeff Brehaut, Johan Edfors, Andrew Parr and Ryan Spears sharing the lead at 1-under par. Woods was 1-over through six holes, while Mickelson did not strike a single shot.
Today’s forecast is reasonable, with light rains expected to linger in the morning and disappear by lunchtime. But another powerful storm lurks Saturday, raising the possibility of this tournament spilling into next week — when, naturally, the forecast calls for more rain.
Pebble Beach, anyone? Olympic Club? Torrey Pines? Nearly 1 1/2 inches of rain pelted Long Island on Thursday, no doubt making USGA officials dream wistfully of those dry (if occasionally fog-bound) California venues. Most problematic this week is the prospect of more soggy weather, turning an already-saturated course into an utterly unplayable mess.
Given how little golf was played on Day One, it’s clear the second round will stretch into Saturday. If Saturday somehow turns out dry, they could catch up after cutting the field from 156 players to 70-plus. But don’t count on it.
“If the forecast for Saturday is accurate, finishing the tournament on Sunday would be borderline impossible,” said Mike Davis, the USGA’s director of rules and competitions. “The ideal goal would be to finish the second round by Saturday and then try to play 36 holes Sunday. But based on the forecast, that’s not looking terribly promising. . . . We will not determine a national champion until we play 72 holes, if that takes us into Monday or Tuesday or whatever.”
Unlike the PGA Tour, which occasionally uses “lift, clean and place” rules (and sometimes shortens events to 54 holes), the USGA remains steadfast in playing the ball where it lies. This is admirable, sure, but not entirely practical on a course growing wetter and sloppier by the minute.
The conditions will make an already long course seem longer, favoring power hitters who can carry the ball 300 yards in the air. It surely will not roll upon returning to Earth.
First round/At a glance
A brief look at the opening day of the 109th U.S. Open at Bethpage Black (all times MDT):Out in front: Jeff Brehaut, Johan Edfors, Andrew Parr and Ryan Spears all were 1-under par when play was suspended for the day because of heavy rain. Brehaut was through 11 holes, Edfors four, and Parr and Spears three. No player had completed more than 11 holes, and half of the 156-player field did not even tee off.
Tiger and Phil: Defending champion Tiger Woods was 1-over through six holes when play was called for the day. Phil Mickelson did not begin his round.
Noteworthy: The last time a U.S. Open round was not completed the day it started was the first round in 2004 at Shinnecock Hills, which also is on Long Island.
Quoteworthy: “I made two birdies, which was great, and found myself at the top of the leaderboard and seeing what Tiger goes through every day.” — Brehaut
TV: Today, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., ESPN; 1-3 p.m., NBC; 3-5 p.m., ESPN
