Rain Puts an Asterisk by This L.A. Open

For the first time in the 67-year history of the Los Angeles Open, the tournament has been shortened to 54 holes.

Friday’s second round was postponed because of rain and there is a possibility of more showers today, although tournament organizers said they would try to play 18 holes each today and Sunday. A tournament is not official unless 36 holes are played.

The greens at Riviera do not drain particularly well, according to Peter Oosterhuis, the director of golf at the country club. So that was a major factor in Friday’s rainout.

“The greens are holding so much water that they have reached a saturation point,” said Ben Nelson, the PGA Tour’s tournament director. “We probably have six greens that are really bad. The greens are what is holding us back. It’s a matter of being able to putt without going through water.”

Rounds of the L.A. Open have been postponed because of rain in previous years, most recently in 1989, but 72 holes have always been played, starting with the first tournament in 1926 at the Los Angeles Country Club.

Jay Don Blake, Jim McGovern and Russ Beiersdorf were the opening-round leaders this week, each shooting a four-under-par 67. They have a one-stroke advantage over six other players.

Fred Couples, trying to become the first player to win consecutive L.A. Open titles since Arnold Palmer in 1966-67, shot a 71. Phil Mickelson, last weekend’s winner at Torrey Pines, shot a 70.