Charlie Riedel/Associated PressSpectators watched golfers the 17th green during practice Wednesday for the US Open. ARDMORE, Pennsylvania - officials of the United States Golf Association lavish praise on this great lady Merion Golf Club at a press conference on the eve of the U.S. Open, describing the route of the host as a "classical beauty", is worth celebrating. But ultimately, Mother Nature came the image, as it has done throughout the year on the PGA Tour.With thunderstorms looming in forecasting and a flood in force watch the region from Thursday morning, weather dominated the Wednesday conversation. Mike Davis, the U.S.G.A. Executive Director, says that masters could receive anywhere from a quarter inch to three inches of rain Thursday afternoon, havoc with late starters in the first round. Which includes grouping of marquee of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, Adam Scott, which is scheduled to tee off at 1:14 pm Eastern.
Golf Channel Wednesday, analyst Frank Nobilo described the forecasts as "a bit like Armageddon". The course could be rocked by the kind of storms that hit the course AT & T National for the month of June at the Congressional Country Club and has led to a third round without spectators. "It depends on what really strikes us or how lucky or unlucky we are," said Mr Davis.
Torrential rain Monday prompted the closing of the 11th hole, which is on the lowest point on the East course. The area had been hit by more than six inches of rain over the four days, said Davis. Forecast on Thursday reinforced the concerns of participants that mud balls might be what separates the winner on the ground because the U.S.G.A. is opposed to the adoption of the lift-clean rule and place in its national championships."We try to go through these scenarios, the worst of cases, how do you," said Mr Davis. "Many times, just seeing what you do business with in terms of how much game you left, is it dangerous for spectators, can get us the spectators here." Therefore there are so many things that play in. »