Soaking sees Women’s Open held over for 24 hours
The latestuswomen’sopen on the calendar will last onemore day because of relentless rain that drenched Champions Golf Club and forced theusgato suspend the final round until thismorning.
Hinako Shibuno of Japan, who had a one-shot lead as she goes for a secondmajor, never teed off.
Theusgamoved up tee times as early as possible yesterday because of the forecast, and the final round wasjust over an hour oldwhen thunderstorms in the area caused play to be stopped.
It never resumed, with about 20mmof rain falling before there wasno point in trying to restart.
The turf in the December climate doesn’t drain as quickly. Plus, heavy rain soaked the courseon Saturday after the second round.
Theuswomen’sopenwas postponed fromearly June because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
It will be the firstmonday(ust) finish for the Uswomen’sopen since So Yeonryuwonatthe Broadmoor in Colorado in 2011.
Shibunowonthewomen’s British Open last year in hermajor championshipdebut— andher first tournament outside Japan— andis bidding to become the thirdwoman to win twomajors the first time playing them.
Se Ri Pakwasthemost recent in 1998 at thelpgachampionship and Uswomen’sopen.
Shewasat 4-under 209, one shot ahead ofamyolson, the 28-year-old fromnorth Dakotawhohas notwon in her seven years on thelpgatour.
Only two other players, Moriya Jutanugarn and Jiyeong Kim2, were under par.
Ariya Jutanugarn, a two-time major champion and formerno 1 player in the world, made birdie on her first hole before playwas stopped. That pulled her within five shots of the lead.
Kiwi Lydiakohad started the final round ina tie for fifth.
Forty-two players fromthe 66 whomade the cut had finished at least onehole.
Themost anyone playedwassix holes.
They will pick up where they left off; theusgadecided against calling the final round awash and starting over. — AP