PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas, May 23 (UPI) -- LPGA Tour officials Thursday announced they hoped to start the Pure Silk-Bahamas Classic on Friday over a course shortened to 12 holes.
A foot of rain at the Ocean Club course on Tuesday left much of the layout under water, forcing the LPGA to reduce the event from four to three rounds.
After assessing the situation further on Thursday, it was decided that some of the holes on the course would still be unplayable on Friday. LPGA Commissioner Michael Whan said a 12-hole round would be played on Friday and Saturday with the hopes that all 18 holes could be used for Sunday's scheduled final round.
At least 36 holes must be played for the tournament to be declared official. There will be no cut made, but only the top 70 players and ties will receive prize money at the end of the week.
"When you have a situation like this, you bring everyone together that you trust and you make the decision," Whan said. "It's fair if someone doesn't like the decision we made, but I think this outcome is a lot better than any other alternative.
"Everybody who plays the next three days will play the same course."
Although it is unusual to play a round with less than 18 holes, it is not unprecedented. Rains at a tournament in Hawaii 24 years ago forced the opening round to be played on a 16-hole course.
