Rain washes out Deutsche Bank C'ship play
The first day’s play in the Deutsche Bank Championship in Hamburg was completely washed out today.
Heavy rain overnight and throughout the morning left the Gut Kaden course under water.
Play was scheduled to start at 7.30am local time but was eventually abandoned for the day shortly after 1.30pm.
Tournament director David Probyn said the plan now was to play the first round on Friday, the second on Saturday then make the halfway cut for the top 50 players and ties rather than the usual 70.
The final 36 holes would then take place on Sunday.
“Our primary goal is always to play 72 holes if possible,” Probyn said. “We’ve lost one day but we have three to play with.
“The forecast is for showers tomorrow and Saturday with a better day on Sunday, but the persistent rain should be over.
“We’ve had 40mm so far and the rivers are right up and flooding the course from below as well as above. It needs to be dry through the night to give us a chance.”
It is the first time a full day’s play has been lost on the European Tour since the Italian Open last April.
