Weather forces 2-tee start at British Open on Saturday
HOYLAKE, England - The British Open will use a two-tee start for the first time in the tournament's 154-year history for Saturday's third round due to predicted heavy rain and thunderstorms.
Tournament official David Rickman said Friday play is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. (0800 GMT) Saturday off the first and 10th tees. That compressed schedule would allow for up to five hours of delays and enable the round to be completed.
Two-tee start at @The_Open tomorrow due to severe weather around @RLGCHoylake heavy rain, thunder, maybe even hail! Should be interesting..
— Paul Higham (@SportsPaulH) July 18, 2014
The British Open has always used a one-tee start, but Rickman says the decision to use a second for the 70-plus players in groups of three would allow the tournament to be ''in a better place on Sunday.''
The forecast calls for deteriorating weather to begin overnight Friday, with an expected break of up to four hours late Saturday morning.