US Open hampered by rain delays
June 17, 2016
Day one of the US Open on Thursday did not even see a full round of golf. Three weather delays, including a thunderous downpour and lightning strikes, meant only nine players completed the opening round. Half of the 156-man field did not even compete.
PGA Tour rookie Andrew Landry, competing for the first time in the tournament, ended the day in front. The 28-year-old finished three under after carding five birdies and two bogies in 17 holes on the rain-soaked course at Oakmont Country Club, outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Top players struggle
Landry upstaged bigger names like defending champion Jordan Spieth and Masters champion Danny Willett. Both struggled in the difficult weather. Spieth was one over after 11 holes, while Willet was four over after 12.
Two-time Masters winner Bubby Watson and New Zealand's Danny Lee were both two under after 14 and 13 holes respectively. Australian world number one Jason Day and American Phil Mickelson were yet to tee off.
'Tough' conditions
Thursday's rain delays were the worst at the US Open since 2009, when no player completed the opening round at Bethpage Black in a tournament that finished on a Monday.
Landry called the conditions on day one "tough."
"Had my family here with me, and just kind of kept to myself, went to the locker room, stayed by myself, talked with my caddie a little bit and had my phone turned off the whole time," he said. "I've hit the ball really well today and just made a bunch of puts, and just kept it going."
dr/rd (Reuters, dpa, AP)