By MARK CANNIZZARO

Rainy days and Mondays. Such is the theme of the 109th U.S. Open.

Today’s latest weather issues at Bethpage have confirmed what we’ve known in our hearts for several days now: A champion will not be crowned until Monday at the earliest. And don’t rule out a Tuesday finish.

The start of today’s third round resumption has already been delayed to noon at the earliest depending on the weather thanks to overnight rain that deposited another inch on the already saturated Black Course. As of right now, it’s raining not hard, but steadily here.

Just spoke to USGA’s Mike Davis, who’s in charge of setting up the golf course and he essentially mapped out the play. Hope to start at noon and complete the the third round, then begin the final round after that today and complete it tomorrow.

Should, after the fourth round completion tomorrow, there be an 18-hole playoff, it would be played tomorrow only if the USGA is certain it can get the full round in tomorrow. They do not want to split the playoff up over two days _ say Monday and Tuesday.

So, as has been thye case all week, the schedule depends on the weather.

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