Story highlights
Vandals and bad weather curtail day one of the Dutch Open
Four greens were damaged on the eve of the opening day
Rain and poor light mean first round is halted early
Holder Martin Kaymer toils as Simon Dyson and Marcel Siem lead
Inclement weather and vandalized greens disrupted day one of the Dutch Open as nearly half the field failed to finish their opening round.
Play was delayed in the morning after vandals had damaged four greens overnight, while heavy rain also rendered parts of the course unplayable.
England’s Simon Dyson and Germany’s Marcel Siem share the lead on five-under-par while defending champion and world number three Martin Kaymer toiled to finish nine shots off the lead.
U.S Open champion Rory McIlroy and world number two Lee Westwood could only manage eight holes after starting at 5.30pm and face a packed Friday when they will have to attempt to complete rounds one and two.
England’s Robert Dinwiddie sits a shot off the lead while compatriots Oliver Wilson and David Lynn are on three-under, alongside Denmark’s Anders Hansen.
Play was 45 minutes late getting underway on the Hilversumsche Golf Course in the Netherlands after officials repaired chunks that had been cut out of four greens by vandals overnight.
After that the opening round was hit by a three-and-a-half hour rain delay. Kaymer did manage to complete his round but blamed illness for his poor performance.
“My cold is making me a little feel weak for sure and that’s not the best when the course is playing so long in the wet,” he was quoted as saying by AFP. “Twice I had to hit into the greens with woods on par-fours.
“But I just didn’t use all my chances, especially the par-fives. I only had one birdie as well and I just couldn’t make a putt. At least I have a long lie-in to try to get myself in shape for tomorrow.”
Dyson is looking to add to his two European Tour victories and admitted after shooting an impressive 65: “That’s probably the wettest course I’ve ever played.”
Championship Director Daan Slooter told the European Tour web site: “Early this morning we ascertained damage to four of the greens here at Hilversumsche. At this moment we do not know who caused the damage.
“I’m very disappointed for all the people here at the club who worked so hard over the past few days, through challenging weather conditions, to ensure the course was in playable condition.
“However, having said that, the same professionalism of the greenkeepers has ensured that the damage has been repaired so the tournament can go ahead. They are all due a huge vote of thanks.”
