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June 28, 2006

Women's Open: 1st day may be tough, wet slog

Journal photo / Bob Breidenbach
Morgan Pressel, right, signs an autograph for Emma Orton, 9, of Cranston during the final practice round today at the Newport Country Club.

NEWPORT -- If the worst forecasts turn out to be true, tomorrow could be a rough first day of play at the U.S. Women's Open.

The United States Golf Association is expecting anywhere from a quarter to a full inch of rain, in addition to the 3.7 inches that fell on the course over the weekend.

"I think it's fair to say it can probably handle a quarter inch, maybe a half inch without too much problem," said Mike Davis, the USGA's senior director of rules and competitions. "If we truly get the inch, then we're going to have some severe puddling out there and probably some bunkers that are going to need to be pumped. It's going to be a wet, long U.S. Open, at least tomorrow."

The rain could force delays in play or possibly force the action to be suspended, in which case four days of golf would have to be compressed into Friday, Saturday and Sunday, when better weather is expected.

The wet conditions will also make the course in the famed City by the Sea harder to play, and make long drives a necessity. The USGA is contemplating shortening the course, to make it less difficult, if things get really rough.

See the latest forecast for Newport.

- With reports from Journal sports writer Paul Kenyon

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 5:08 PM | Permalink

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