Saturday Was Out of Play

Adam Scott noticed the sun shining while eating a hamburger Saturday afternoon. Brian Davis saw it while strolling along Rodeo Drive. Charles Howell took note of it while walking around Riviera Country Club.

When Nissan Open play resumed on a rainy Sunday at Riviera Country Club, some players said they felt strange taking a Saturday off while the sun shone, the result of a decision to cancel play Saturday because of unplayable course conditions.

“It’s certainly tough walking around seeing blue skies and not being able to play,” Darren Clarke said.

Davis, the first-round leader, had his second round washed out Friday and Saturday and didn’t complete 36 holes until Sunday.

“It was quite weird,” he said of perusing Beverly Hills shops instead of trying to maintain his lead.

There were rumblings Sunday that the decision to cancel the round at 9:57 a.m. was premature. The sun was shining by 11 a.m. and course superintendent Matt Morton told PGA Tour officials he could have had the course ready for play in six hours, allowing for about two hours of play Saturday afternoon.

Morton said Sunday that even tough he had a staff of about 100 using 15 pumps on the 70 bunkers at Riviera, the work took longer than he anticipated.

“I don’t think we could have played at all, even if we did a rush job,” he said. “We didn’t get out of here until after dark as it was.”

Mark Russell, the tournament director and the man who made the call to suspend play, defended the decision Sunday, but acknowledged he was influenced by weather forecasts.

Given the bleak weather forecast, players were forced to consider that the tournament would be shortened to 36 holes, making it an official money tournament, but not an official victory for the winner. That means a two-year tour exemption and a trip to the winners-only Mercedes Championships in Hawaii would not be included.

“It’s strange, but guess there’s a reason for it,” said Scott, who is tied for the lead. “I can’t think of one, though.”

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Any unused tournament tickets will be honored today. Spectators may also purchase tickets at the gate. Parking will remain available at the Veterans Administration Hospital in West Los Angeles with shuttle service to the course. There is also parking available for $20 at Paul Revere Middle School on Allenford Dr. near Riviera Country Club.