Rain halted play three times the opening day of the U.S. Open, and the USGA\u2019s decision to send golfers back on the course without a chance to warm up after the first rain delay upset several competitors.<\/p>\n
In their view, playing at Oakmont is challenging enough. Doing it without a chance to get loose again is even tougher.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe sat in a cabin for an hour and 10 minutes behind the 7th tee without being given a chance to hit any balls or do anything,\u201d said Danny Willett<\/strong>, who was 4-over-par after 12 holes, according to a USGA transcript. \u201cYou\u2019re in a U.S. Open. They don\u2019t give you a chance to even hit a few balls.\u201d<\/p>\n Former USGA president Tom O\u2019Toole<\/strong> defended the move, pointing out it was reasonable, considering the tournament was already behind schedule.<\/p>\n But after the second rain delay, which lasted more than two hours, players were allowed a warm up.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a challenge not being able to warm up, too, going out there and trying to hit tee shots at the U.S. Open, but it is what it is,\u201d said\u00a0Jordan Spieth<\/strong>, who was 1 over after 11 holes.<\/p>\n The USGA eventually suspended play for the day shortly after 4 p.m., which\u00a0will create wide gaps in the amount of golf remaining for the players today.<\/p>\n Only half of the 156 qualifiers teed off Thursday, and just nine players finished their first rounds. The group made it through about 40 percent of the 2,808 holes that will ultimately complete the first round.<\/p>\n Of the seven players who were under par when play was suspended, only amateur\u00a0Scottie Scheffler\u00a0<\/strong>was in the clubhouse. The remaining players were Andrew Landry\u00a0<\/strong>(3 under with one hole remaining),\u00a0Bubba Watson\u00a0<\/strong>(2 under with four left),\u00a0Danny Lee\u00a0<\/strong>(2 under with five left),\u00a0Kevin Streelman\u00a0<\/strong>(1 under with two left),\u00a0Lee Westwood<\/strong> (1 under with five left) and Harris English<\/strong> (1 under with six left). Lee was the only member of that group who has yet to bogey. Watson was the only player to have birdied the eighth hole.<\/p>\n Landry was on the ninth green, his last of the day, when the third and final horn of the day sounded. Watson was through 14 holes and was tied for second.<\/p>\n \u201cObviously, I wish I could finish so I could watch the game all the way through tonight,\u201d Watson said, apparently referring to Game 6 of the NBA Finals. \u201cBut it will be some good rest and just get ready and play the last few holes, and hopefully we can get the golf in tomorrow as well.\u201d<\/p>\n The course was pummeled with 1.14 inches of rain Wednesday. An additional 0.22 inches fell on Thursday until the final air horn sounded at 3:51 p.m., although the storm continued thereafter.<\/p>\n