Rain May Affect Scores

Southern Pines, N.C. – Sunday’s anticipated finale in the 62^nd U.S. Women’s Open should be a breeze – at least compared to the agonizing and arduous assignment that the participants encountered just a year ago. And with torrential rains striking Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club just after play ended Saturday, the finish might be partially slog-fest as well as slugfest.

"This could change a lot of things for sure," said Pat Hurst, runner-up to Annika Sorenstam a year ago at Newport Country Club, where fog quashed the first round and forced a 36-hole marathon on Sunday. "We really won’t know until we get back, but a few more scoring chances could be out there."

"It will be different," added Julieta Granada of Paraguay, who is at two under par through 11 holes of her third round, three behind the overnight leader Ji-Yai Shin. "It will be better."

Better for whom is the question.

Lorena Ochoa had four birdies against no bogeys through 11 holes of the third round. She is one stroke off the lead going into Sunday's final day of play at the 2007 U.S. Women's Open. (John Mummert/USGA)

With mini torrents of rainwater racing throughout the property from the deluge of that struck about 8:30 p.m. EDT, Pine Needles will undoubtedly be softer as the players restarted at 7:30 a.m. That will make greens more receptive, but the par-71 layout of 6,664 yards will also play longer.

"U.S. Open birdies are hard to come by usually. You have to pick and choose your spots," said Catriona Matthew of Scotland, who has fallen off the pace after going three over through 11 holes. "I think no matter what the conditions are, you just try to stick to your game plan and, hopefully, you make a few putts."

That’s what American Christie Kerr did in going five under through 13 holes and moving one stroke behind Shin at four under par. She said her round was, "far from perfect," but the scoring chances were there and she seized them.

Contrarily, Lorena Ochoa, who was 4 under through 11 when play was halted, was getting into a groove that she could only hope to carry over for the final 25 holes. She came out and birdied her first hole after the restart to move into a tie with Shin.

"I made a couple of birdies and got a good momentum," said the No. 1-ranked women’s player. "I was really excited that the weather was holding and we were able to play the third round, because I was feeling good, really positive with my game.

"We still have a lot of holes left, but I like where I am right now. It’s going to be a physical challenge, what we’ve been through in the first two rounds and just today, playing a lot of holes. In that part I’m happy because I’m feeling strong and I’m healthy and that could help my game."

Physical conditioning is only part of it. There’s the mental challenge as well. But the bottom line is that it’s all about hitting shots. Conditions might dictate the kind of shots, but the winner will be the player who executes what is there in front of her.

"Winning the Open would be great," Kerr said, "but I would be happier if I executed all my shots the way I wanted to, because the score is kind of irrelevant if you do the things you’re trying to do."