SAUCIER, Miss. – The first round of the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic started in sunny conditions Friday after being delayed more than four hours because of soggy conditions at Fallen Oak.
About 4 inches of rain drenched the course Thursday, forcing the cancellation of the pro-am. The opening round in the Champions Tour event was scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Friday, but was pushed back to 2:30 p.m. The weather is supposed to improve through the weekend.
Peter Senior had the early lead, playing the first 11 holes in 5 under.
The course was closed to the public Friday, making for an even quieter round of golf than usual. Tournament director Steve Nieman made the rare decision after his truck became stuck in the mud while surveying the public parking lot early Friday morning. Nearly 9 inches of rain has fallen in the area in the past 36 hours.
Nieman said one-day tournament passes are good for any day during the tournament, so there would be no refunds. He expects the tournament to recoup most lost income over the next two days, when nearly ideal weather is expected.
Willis Young, who has provided weather support for the PGA Tour the past 16 years, said the amount of rain was in the "top five" in tournaments he had worked.
"Really, it's amazing that we're playing golf," Young said.
Young said some of the fairways were still very wet, but the greens and tees weren't bad. Most of the area has a sandy soil that drains fairly well.
Defending champion Tom Lehman, Fred Couples, Loren Roberts and Kenny Perry headline the 81-man field that includes 28 of the top 30 from last year's Champions Tour money list.
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