HEAVY rains stop play on the first day of the US Open

A rude interruption of first round play at the US Open on Thursday. Heavy downpours and lightning sent thousands of fans running for the exits. <br><br>KOTV's Sean Mossman was among the soaked spectators

Friday, June 15th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

A rude interruption of first round play at the US Open on Thursday. Heavy downpours and lightning sent thousands of fans running for the exits.

KOTV's Sean Mossman was among the soaked spectators and says when that afternoon rain hit, it hit hard, leaving a mass of soaked shirts and umbrellas in it's path. A golf fan at the US Open, "we heard the weather was gonna get bad and we've got about a two hour drive." Unfortunately, many of the fans at Thursday's first round of the U-S Open did not get out the gate in time to miss the rain. The golfers were ushered from the course at three-thirty and spectators followed their lead. Some fans complained they weren't warned early enough about the oncoming downpour.

Another wet fan, "Some seats are. Some aren't. So it's just figuring out what's gonna go on, so we figured we better play it smart and go." Of course, some were stubborn and stayed until the last minute. Mostly because they were planted near an area soon to be played by Tiger. A Tiger fan at the Open, "We waited on the seventh green for about three hours. Then they tried to kick us out of the stands because of the weather. We said 'no.'"

Busses lined up near the fan pickup area, ready to take the masses to the parking lots. But, most people got soaked waiting to get through the line and onboard. Despite the rain, the majority of fans say they enjoyed the first round action. Many said they got at least four hours of viewing in before they had to leave. Another fan, "We were over at 18 and 9 and 2. We got all over the course today."

The happiest fan of all had to be this little girl, in town this week from Des Moines, Iowa. She had a close encounter with Spanish Golf Sensation Sergio Garcia, who gave her his golf ball. "So I guess he's your favorite golfer now. Yeah, besides Tiger Woods."