Rumble of thunder produces a storm of grumbling at U.S. Women’s Open

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 in Southern Pines, N.C., 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 tomorrow might be worse. It’s a crapshoot.”

When play was suspended amid the rumble of thunder, only 25 out of 156 players had finished the second round. The plan was for the third round to begin this afternoon after the cut had been made.

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

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

Wendy Ward was at 8-over on the course when play was suspended.

PGA

Brett Quigley scrambled to save par at No. 13 – the second-easiest hole – and that contributed to him losing the lead and finishing the second round in a three-way tie with Jim Furyk and Kenny Perry at 10-under 134 at the Buick Open in Grand Blanc, Mich.

Champions

Loren Roberts had his low round of the year, a 7-under 64, to take a one-stroke lead over Eduardo Romero after the first round of the Commerce Bank Championship in East Meadow, N.Y.