High Winds Halt Women's British Open

IT'S WINDY AT THE OLD COURSE in St. Andrews. So windy that play was suspended during Saturday's third round. Winds gusted to 40 mph and golf balls were moving without being hit. Some unfortunate players had to complete their rounds in the difficult conditions. Cristie Kerr, for example, finished with a 75, a good score under the circumstances.

GolfChannel.com's Randall Mell reported:

Notably, play was halted about five minutes after Inbee Park had an issue with high winds as she stood up to a putt at the fourth green. She called an official to inquire if she had to play the ball from where it moved or whether she should replace it. LPGA official Brad Alexander informed her that she should play it from where it moved. There was no penalty. Play was then halted after Park hit her tee shot at the fifth. Park is chasing history, trying to overcome an eight-shot deficit to become the first man or woman to win four majors in a single season. She was 1 under through four holes when play was suspended.

Fourteen players had yet to tee off when play was stopped as wind gusts reached 40 mph. The leader, Na Yeon Choi, was among them.

One commenter at GolfChannel.com thought the situation was bogus:

"It's bad enough that virtually nobody cares about this women's Major, but when the officials and the LPGA make a joke out of the scores by forcing part of the field to accept scores in 40 mile an hour winds and the others don't have to. Hardly seems like a fair test of golf. Making this MAJOR seems like a joke in a circuit that lacks respect in this first place."

Others said suck it up and play on.