U.S. Open Golf Turns Into A Regatta

The last time we checked in at the U.S. Open aquatic center, Bethpage Black was taking on more water than the Titanic.

Tiger Woods toughest decision was his rain jacket. The tournament favorite couldn't figure out if he should wear it or get rid of it.

Paddy Harrington, Woods' playing partner along with Angel Cabrera, was caught in a rip-current and found himself washing away in a sea of bogeys. He was four-over par through six holes and looking at another probable bogey at the seventh.

By 10:15 the USGA had enough and brought the guys in out of the pool.

Rain-soaked spectators watched and waited but the skies had no mercy.

There was enough water on the fairways that Michael Phelps emerged as the new tournament favorite.

No truth to the rumors that Woods was contemplating docking his 125-foot Privacy on the 18th fairway.

Only one player managed to survive the great Deluge of Bethpage. Jeff Brehaut, a Nationwide tour player, found himself one-under through 11 holes when the USGA blew the horn to stop play and begin work on an Ark.

"It's not pretty out there," said USGA exec David Fay.

Indeed, there was enough water flowing through the Bethpage fairways to attract weekend kayak enthusiasts.

The decision to give up the ship and try again on Friday came in the early afternoon, which will surely play havoc with the tournament schedule.

Players on the course will start where they left off and for Woods, it means a lengthy par putt to keep from going plus-two.

Of course there is more rain in the picture.

For Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

That's good news for aquatic animals but bad news for golfers.

A tough course that is already of record length, will play even longer.

"I never hit long irons into par 4s," Vijay Singh lamented to former two-time Open winner, now TV guy Curtis Strange.

"Hey, I made a living doing that," Strange said without hesitation.

Whoever wins this 109th Open, will have to do the same.