Golf-Open-Players braced for Monday finish as rain causes havoc

By Larry Fine

FARMINGDALE, New York, June 18 (Reuters) - Rain made a shambles of the U.S. Open schedule with Thursday's postponement of play and more downpours in the forecast pointing to a probable Monday finish at the earliest, officials said.

"If the current weather forecast was accurate, a finish on Sunday would be borderline impossible," Mike Davis, U.S. Golf Association director of rules and competitions, told reporters.

With rain continuing to pound down, Davis said Bethpage Black was expected to receive an inch and a half of total precipitation on Thursday on an already soggy course.

The last group of Thursday's first-round morning flight were able to finish only two holes.

The 78 players already on the course were scheduled to return at 0730 (1130 GMT) to resume the first round, with the rest of the first-round starters pencilled in to start their rounds at 1000 local time, weather permitting.

Davis said the hope was to start second-round play at 1600.

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