Golf-First round again abandoned at saturated Annandale (Reuters)
October 30, 2009
NEW YORK, Oct 30 (Reuters) – The first round of theweather-hit Viking Classic in Madison, Mississippi was postponedfor a second successive day on Friday because of unplayableconditions.
Although the scheduled start was pushed back three hours togive the greenkeeping staff more time to prepare the course,officials decided no play was possible on the waterloggedlayout.
Weather-permitting, the opening round at Annandale Golf Clubwill begin at 0720 local time (1320 GMT) on Saturday.
Slugger White, the PGA Tour’s vice president for rules andcompetition, told reporters on Thursday the event was alreadyheading for at least a Monday finish.
The Viking Classic is the penultimate event on the 2009 PGATour and no tournament is scheduled next week.
Two consecutive rounds have not been postponed on the U.S.circuit since the 2005 BellSouth Classic.
That event was reduced to 54 holes and ended on the Mondaywhen Phil Mickelson triumphed at the fourth extra hole of afive-way playoff.
Will MacKenzie is the defending champion at Annandale,having won last year’s title in a three-way playoff with fellowAmericans Brian Gay and Marc Turnesa.
(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles, editing byTony Jimenez. To query or comment on this story emailsportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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