COLORADO — springs Play was called for the day after a nearly a 3-1/2-hour rain delay at the opening round of the U.S. Women’s Open.
The weather delay prompted by lightning started at 12:46 p.m. There was not heavy rain during the delay, but the skies continued to darken.
The day started with clear skies and nice weather for the 156-woman field at The Broadmoor’s East Course. But by the time the weather horn sounded, just 88 had made it onto the course and 25 posted final scores.
Amateur Amy Anderson of Oxbow, N.D., and Cristie Kerr were the leaders at 2-under as the delay hit. Kerr was through 15 holes, and Anderson, a junior at North Dakota State, was on No. 13 when the weather horn sounded.
Anderson, who started on No. 1, birdied No. 5 and then the par-5 No. 9 to make the turn at 2-under 34. Anderson posted three consecutive pars to open the back nine before the delay.
“I never really played around the mountains. The greens to me were really tricky,” Anderson said. “I had my brother (Nathan) on the bag. He’s caddying for me. He’s figuring ’em out pretty well, and that’s helped a ton.”
Kerr started on the back nine and has two birdies and a bogey.
The lowest 18-hole score posted was Kristy McPherson with a 2-over 73.
The USGA is expected to announce an updated Friday schedule.
The course is measuring at 7,024 yards for the first round. When the event was played at The Broadmoor in 1995, it averaged 6,400 yards. The morning golfers today should have a slight advantage because afternoon storms are expected.
Threesomes started this morning off the Nos. 1 and 10 tees at 7 a.m. The afternoon groups were scheduled to start at 12:30 p.m.
