Weather disrupts opening round of the US Open at Oakmont
By Ali Stafford at Oakmont
Last Updated: 17/06/16 10:02am
Rain and thunderstorms have played havoc with the opening round of the US Open at Oakmont as play was suspended for the day with half the field yet to tee off.
Heavy rain overnight had already softened the historic course on the outskirts of Pittsburgh, while further downpours caused three delays on Thursday before play was suspended with flash-flood warnings in place.
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Play was initially suspended at 3.04pm (UK time) due to the threat of lightning, with the action resuming 79 minutes later without the players returning to the range.
Only another 44 minutes were possible after the restart before the horn was sounded for a second time just after 5pm, with thunder rumbling overhead.
Little-known Andrew Landry had seized an early three-shot cushion when play was halted after firing five birdies during his opening 13 holes, with Rory McIlroy and Danny Willett seven strokes off the pace.
The interruptions allowed Lee Westwood and a number of players the chance to head in to the media centre to watch England claim a late 2-1 win over Wales, while McIlroy ran in to shelter to see Northern Ireland defeat Ukraine 2-0.
It was another 2 hours 26 minutes before the first round could get back underway at 7.33pm, only for more bad weather to force the players to head for shelter at 8.51pm.
Landry topped the leaderboard and was three under for the round with one to play, with Bubba Watson and Danny Lee a stroke off the pace.
Landry, who teed off at the 10th, was hoping to finish with a flourish after bogeys at the seventh and eighth holes took some of the gloss off his day, and he was lining up a 10-foot putt for a closing birdie when the horns sounded.
And as further torrential rain saturated the course, USGA officials were left with no option but to abandon play for the day shortly after 9:30pm.
Just nine players have been able to complete their opening rounds - amateur Scottie Scheffler taking the clubhouse lead after a commendable one-under 69 - while 78 players have yet to get their tournament underway.
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