Chiefs point to Monday finish after heavy rain

US OPEN officials believe a Monday night finish is a distinct possibility after torrential rain washed out the opening round at Bethpage Black.

Play was suspended after just three hours 15 minutes following sustained heavy rain in New York, before a complete halt was called around 2pm local time. Half of the 156-man field had yet to start their first rounds with the opening groups only having completed 11 holes.

With heavy rain also forecast for today, and even tomorrow, the second round is also likely to be heavily disrupted, leaving officials with a major headache going into the weekend with the United States Golf Association reluctant to declare a champion until 72 holes have been played.

World No3 Paul Casey is currently two shots off the four-way lead on one-over-par after five holes, and says the eventual champion will need plenty of patience. “It’s only going to get worse but we will see what happens,” the British No1 said. “You are certainly going to have to strike the ball very well but it’s going to be the guy who keeps his head this week.

“That’s going to be very difficult and you are going to have be patient and expect some difficult lies and some mud-balls. That’s the way it is.”

World No1 Tiger Woods was also one-over after six holes.