Players prepare for long day at Masters

AUGUSTA, Ga., April 10 (UPI) -- The good news Thursday for those competing in the Masters was that they did not have to go out and walk 18 tedious holes on the soaking wet hillsides of the Augusta National Golf Club.

The bad news was that on Friday, they will have to do it twice.

"It will be tough, especially on this golf course," said two-time Masters winner Bernhard Langer. "It is so demanding. There are a lot of sidehills and uphills.

"Playing 36 holes is going to be quite the task. But most of us are fit."

The need to play two rounds Friday became necessary when Masters officials decided the combination of a waterlogged course and the prospect of more rain was too much to bear.

The opening round of the tournament was postponed for the first time since 1939.

"I was actually surprised they called it off," said Tom Lehman. "We've had a lot of bad weather in the past and played through it.

"I think you just have to be carefree and enjoy it. You can't get too wound up with 36 holes in one day. You just swing away and let it go."

Rocco Mediate, ranked 17th in the world and seeking his first major title, has devoted himself to improving his physical fitness in recent years and he said that will be a blessing Friday.

"If you're not in really good shape, you'll be in a lot more trouble tomorrow," the 40-year-old said. "Fitness is a good thing for tomorrow. I think I'll do decent for an older guy."

Mediate did not take issue with the decision to call off the opening round.

"If they can't get the course ready here, nobody can get it ready," he said. "They have the team of teams for course preparation. If they can't do it, it can't be done."

This will be the second year in a row the Masters has been conducted on a soggy course and two-time U.S. Open champion Lee Janzen said he thought he would never see the Augusta National as wet as it was last year.

"I told friends last year, 'I've never seen it like this and you will never see it like this again.'

"I was wrong. It's worse this year than last year. I think it was a good decision not to play. I think the guys are prepared to play Monday if needed.

"Tomorrow, we will grind it out and do the best we can. I've been working out, so physically, I'm not too worried. It's mentally where it will be difficult - to concentrate for 36 holes."

Despite the poor conditions, Masters Competition Committee Chairman Wil Nicholson said players would not be allowed to clean mud off their golf balls on the fairways. Such a policy is usually applied during PGA Tour events that are played in poor weather.

Although the players expect such a concession at regular tournaments, they have come to understand it will never take place at the Masters.

"There will be a woman member here before that happens," said Chris DiMarco.