Weather halts U.S. Women’s Open

Only 25 players finished the second round and more storms are expected.

SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. (AP) — Annika Sorenstam stood in the ninth fairway next to her bag, sizing up how far she was from her final hole on a troublesome day at the U.S. Women’s Open.

Then came a sound that has become all too familiar. And no, it wasn’t a big cheer.

An air horn, the most annoying sound in golf, resonated across Pine Needles on Friday to signal another delay brought on by lightning.

Sorenstam bowed her head and walked toward shelter.

No one hit another shot the rest of the day at a tournament that can’t seem to get started.

“It’s brutal,” said Juli Inkster, playing in the group behind Sorenstam. “Now we have to get up at 5 in the morning to play one hole. It’s just been start and stop, start and stop. And [today] might be worse. It’s a crapshoot.”

Play to resume at 7:30 today

When play was suspended amid the rumble of thunder, only 25 out of 156 players had finished the second round.

It was to resume at 7:30 a.m. today, although USGA official Mike Davis made no guarantees.

Strong storms were expected through the night and into the morning.

“This area has gone for weeks on end without any kind of weather. And bring the USGA to town, and it’s amazing how we can change weather patterns,” Davis said.

The plan was for the third round to begin as early as 3:30 p.m. today, after the cut had been made.

Not much changed on the leaderboard from Thursday when there was a 31⁄2-hour delay — an 18-year-old named Park was the clubhouse leader.

Leader never teed off

It was Angela Park after the first round, although she didn’t hit a shot on Friday.

Her good friend, In-Bee Park, bogeyed two of the last four holes for a 73 that put her at even-par 142.

She was one shot ahead of Kris Tamulis, who shot 71.

Angela Park could also claim the clubhouse lead, since she rarely left except to warm up on the range.

She remains at 3 under.

“I’m just having a good time relaxing at the locker room,” she said.

“I’m very calm and eager to play the next three rounds.”

On the course, nerves were frayed.

Candie Kung tapped in a putt on the 18th hole a split-second before the horn sounded to stop play, so she became the 25th player to complete the second round.

Janice Moodie of Scotland also had a tap-in, but under the rules for dangerous weather, she was not allowed to finish.

Moodie will return in the morning to putt out, then wait until about 5 p.m. to hit her next shot.

Sorenstam left before speaking to the media, but no doubt she wanted to put this day behind her.