First round abandoned after torrential rain at Bethpage

Farmingdale, New York - The first round of the US Open was abandoned in the early afternoon on Thursday after torrential rain swamped the Bethpage 'Black Course' in New York state. A total of 78 players had not even started their first round but organizers said they would try to catch up over the next two days. 'We may be looking at Saturday morning to get the second round finished, get the cut and go from there,' said Jim Hyler, the chairman of the USGA championship committee. Play will start at 0730 local time (12.30pm) on Friday. Those who did start found conditions very difficult for scoring, with the USGA refusing to allow them the chance to 'clean and place' their ball when it was in the fairway. Americans Jeff Brehaut and Ryan Spears, Sweden's Johan Edfors and Canadian Andrew Parr all topped the leaderboard on 1-under-par, one ahead of seven players on level par, including Masters champion Angel Cabrera, Ian Poulter and Justin Leonard. Tournament favourite and defending champion Tiger Woods was 1-over-par through six holes, while Englishman Lee Westwood was 2-over through five holes and Open and US PGA champion Padraig Harrington had made a nightmare start to be 4-over-par through six holes. 'It's not easy, it's pretty miserable out there. The ball keeps picking up mud and then squirting out sideways, so it's a difficult mental battle,' Westwood said. 'Have to say, it's not too disappointing to be taken off the course - and it doesn't look likely that we'll be out there soon. Another couple of inches and that's it for the day. I'll just sit around, watch TV and eat, I guess.'