Weather again torments Pebble Beach golf
By ROB GLOSTER / AP Sports Writer
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (AP) -- The Pacific Ocean became merely
the largest among many water hazards Thursday as rain tormented
the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am and threatened to wash
out the tournament for the second time in three years.
Heavy morning rain and hail forced a four-hour delay in the
start of the $2.5 million tournament, reducing Thursday's play
to nine holes. The first round is set for completion Friday, with
the second round Saturday.
"Does anyone have any idea of what we're doing today?"
a bemused Jack Nicklaus asked of Tiger Woods after the two sloshed
through puddles and mud to the practice range.
If the weather cooperates, the third round will be played Sunday,
and officials then will decide whether to end the tournament after
54 holes or play a fourth round on Monday.
"It was pretty unplayable out there," said Neal Lancaster,
one of the tournament's early leaders. "I hit the ball into
the middle of a mud puddle and just had to hit it. I was standing
over the ball and saying, ÔWhat am I doing out here?' "
PGA officials said Friday's play will be limited to nine holes
because of expected morning fog and the logistical difficulties
of trying to start another round in the middle of the day on three
separate courses.
The tournament is played on the Pebble Beach, Poppy Hills and
Spyglass Hill courses overlooking the Pacific Ocean, whose waves
jumped a seawall Thursday morning and dumped tons of sand on Pebble
Beach's 18th fairway.
"Our No. 1 objective is to play 72 holes, and our second
objective is to play 54 holes," said Bill Calfee, the PGA's
executive vice president of competitions.
The chances of the weather permitting that to happen, though,
are slim. Rain is expected to return Saturday morning, with showers
expected on Sunday as well.
Two years ago, the tournament became the first PGA Tour event
to go uncompleted since 1949. Only two rounds had been completed
in 1996 when rain, wind and water-logged greens forced play to
be called at noon Sunday.
Sand traps were transformed into ponds Thursday, and many fairways
were soaked. Workers frantically tried to groom the muddy courses
as the golfers approached.
"We've got some situations out there that are not good,
but we're still playing," said Arvin Ginn, the tournament
director for the PGA. "Monday's still in the equation."
The awful conditions did not scare away fans, who flocked to
see Woods play in a duo with his father, Earl, the first time
they've been partners since the younger Woods turned pro.
"Just wear boots and bring an extra pair of socks,"
said spectator Jerry Meyer. "That's part of the allure of
this tournament -- tough conditions."
Tiger and Earl Woods hugged after beginning their play by teeing
off on the 10th hole at Poppy Hills. The younger Woods, trying
to cut down on his tournament appearances this year, returned
to Pebble Beach because of the chance to play with the man who
taught him golf as a toddler.
Tom Pernice, who hasn't finished better than fourth in a PGA
event, took the early lead with a 32 over nine holes on the Pebble
Beach course. His playing partner was former baseball commissioner
Peter Ueberroth.
The Pebble Beach tournament pairs pro golfers with celebrities
such as comedian Bill Murray and actor Kevin Costner.
Lancaster, who shot 33 on Poppy Hills, said the course was
"sloppy" but refused to be distracted by the weather.
"If we can play in these conditions, we can play in anything
-- even if it snows on Saturday," he said.
|
