By MARK EVERSON
Fans were pleased and mostly satisfied, but wondering why it took the USGA overnight to decide that their soggy tickets from Thursday’s rain-abbreviated U.S. Open round will be honored if they’re still playing Bethpage on Monday.
“That story [Mark Cannizzaro’s column] in your paper helped,” said Frank Vittrone of Queens.
USGA head David Fay reversed the organization’s position today, after the tickets were initially ruled fulfilled Thursday and would not be honored for further admission.
Thursday’s round was suspended after 3 hours, 16 minutes of play, with most players not even starting play, and no one finishing.
“It was terrible. We sat in the rain by the sixth hole for three hours [after the suspension], awaiting a resumption that never came,” Brooklyn’s Joe Miller said.
Players started the first round at 7 a.m., play was suspended at 10:16 a.m., and called for the day at 1:56 p.m.
“They weren’t very upfront with the situation before. One USGA woman said they were going to honor them [Friday],” Manhattan’s David Moheban said.
But fans who returned to the course today were surprised and even satisfied at the decision to grant admission Monday.
“That’s the best way to do it,” Chris Zachry of Amityville said. “I can understand people having been upset, but the USGA was in a tough spot.”
Many of Thursday’s soggy folk won’t be able to attend Monday. Zachry wasn’t sure he can make it.
“If it’s close, I’ll take the extra day off from work. If Tiger [Woods] is up 5-6 strokes, I can’t do it,” he said.
Down from Albany with his daughter, Roger Monthie said he would probably extend his visit if they’re playing Monday.
“Isn’t that nice? This was a smart move on their part and makes a lot of sense,” Monthie said. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime event and there were a lot of people grumbling about it on the bus coming in.”
