Golf

Rain cuts Pro-Am to 36 holes

Morris Hatalsky, who finished his second round on top, waits to see if he wins or is passed by the many golfers who will try to finish today.

By BOB HARIG
Published February 27, 2005

LUTZ - Perhaps the several dozen fans who lined the ropes leading from the 18th green were having a good time. They yelled and screamed, hoping to get an autograph from or a picture taken with actor Kevin Costner. He did his best to accommodate.

Then there were all the folks who camped out in the Outback Billabong Club adjacent to the 18th green, or the Michelob Light Ultra Watering Hole behind the 17th green.

They could not have cared less that the golf tournament going on before them was turning into a nightmare for Champions Tour and Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am officials.

But not many others at the TPC of Tampa Bay were thrilled with the situation that has unfolded over two rainy, gloomy days leading to the tournament being shortened to 36 holes for the first time in its 18-year history.

More than a few players grumbled about the long day and the fact that they could be forced to finish the event on Monday.

"It's a tough situation, tough on everybody," said Hale Irwin, who completed just three holes of his second round. "It's not just the players, but the fans, the organizers. Everyone is put out. There's a lot of stuff going on. ... It's the weather and that's nobody's fault."

Because the Champions Tour could not reasonably expect to get a third round completed today, officials decided to shorten the event to 36 holes. There were 54 players scheduled to pick up at 8 this morning where they left off Saturday evening when darkness halted play, including two who had not teed off.

But because more than half the field completed nine holes of the second round, Champions Tour rules stipulate the second round must be completed. If weather prevents that today - the forecast calls for an 80 percent chance of rain - the tournament will roll over to Monday.

"We are bound to complete 36 holes of the tournament," Bruce Sudderth, Champions Tour tournament director, said. "And we will do that either (today) or if need be, on Monday. We do not have a good weather forecast, but our goal is to finish the event (today)."

That left Morris Hatalsky sitting in a strange position. He was the leader in the clubhouse at 135, 7 under, and his tournament is complete - unless there is a sudden-death playoff.

He will wait to see if anybody can catch or pass him. If not, he'll have his third Champions Tour victory and $240,000 from the $1.6-million purse.

"I'm pleased with my tournament," said Hatalsky, who shot 4-under-par 67 during the second round, including birdie at the 17th hole. "It's done. I did what I could control. I don't know if I'm going to end up in the winner's circle. You just don't know what the weather has in store. Somebody could get hot and run away with it."

Several players were in position to catch Hatalsky, however. Irwin, the Champions Tour's all-time victory leader with 41, was at 6 under, just one shot behind, and had played just three holes of the second round. He started on the back nine and birdied the 12th hole before play was called.

Defending champion Mark McNulty and Vicente Fernandez were tied for third at 5 under, two shots back. McNulty had 15 holes to go, while Fernandez had 16.

There were four players at 4 under with enough holes remaining to catch Hatalsky: John Jacobs (14 holes left), Graham Marsh (15 holes), Bruce Fleisher (15 holes) and Walter Hall (16 holes).

Gary Player, Tom Wargo, Mark McCumber and Bobby Wadkins were four strokes back and still had a chance.

Unfortunately for Wayne Levi, he ran out of holes. He was able to complete 36 holes at 137, 5 under, and was tied for third, two shots back. But his tournament is done.

"I didn't know we weren't going to play 54 holes until the 15th tee," Levi said. "I might have tried a little harder. I was trying not to make mistakes, trying to stay near the lead. Had I known, I might have been a lot more aggressive. It's hard to say."

Irwin was scurrying to leave, hoping to get a little rest. He doubted the second round will get finished today but had to be ready just in case.

"It's difficult because it's so awkward," Irwin said. "And that awkwardness is something we're not accustomed to. We'll have to wait and see."

[Last modified February 27, 2005, 00:13:19]