Rain washes out the first round of US Women's Open, Amy Anderson and Cristie Kerr lead
The first round of the 66th US Women's Open came to halt on Thursday, due to heavy storms that hit the course on Thursday. The third major of the season is taking place at the Broadmoor Golf Club, Colorado Springs and is said to resume at 7:45 am, on Friday morning.
Doug Habgood, executive director for the US Women's Open announced the news during a press briefing held during the delay.
Habgood said while speaking to reporters, “Safety is our first priority. A lot of people think, 'Oh, it is raining outside, they're not going to be playing.’ We are going to play golf until the golf course becomes unplayable. But when there is lightning, that's a different story. We are going to stop.”
The first round was struck by heavy downpours after few hours from teeing time. The officials did not blow the horn until several thunderbolts hit the course, which made it impossible for players to stay on the course. The officials announced a delay of an hour and waited until 3 pm, but when conditions failed to improve, they decided to call it a day.
According to Habgood, most of the spectators took shelter in the luxurious resort at Broadmoor.
“There are a lot of people in the Broadmoor, it's a packed house, but that's the great thing about having a resort like this. Everyone at the hotel was on their toes and welcomed everybody in just to make sure they were in a safe place,” he added.
Despite the torrential rain, an amateur from North Dakota State, Amy Anderson managed to take a spot in the top most section of the leaderboard along Cristie Kerr. The player compiled a score of two-under-par after twelve holes.
Anderson, who will turn 19 this coming Sunday, qualified for the US Open after giving a sensational performance at the qualifying round held at Medina, Minnesota. The early leader has won five amateur events and is packed with loads of confidence after the first round results. The teenager did not expect that she would be leading the round, and seemed slightly tied down throughout the day’s play.
Adding to her statement, she said that she was extremely nervous before coming to the course in the morning, but after the first round, she was looking forward for the upcoming rounds.
Tags: