BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Despite an already wet Shoal Creek course receiving another 2.41 inches of rain over the last 48 hours, USGA officials expect the 73rd U.S. Women's Open to be played over 72 holes without a lift, clean and place stipulation.
"It is our intention to play 72 holes to identify the champion and to play the ball as it lies," USGA senior managing director John Bodenhamer said. "We've done it for 72 years, and we believe we'll be able to achieve that again."
The LPGA has been plagued by bad weather disrupting events in recent weeks, and the trend continued at Shoal Creek as subtropical storm Alberto moved through. Practice rounds were canceled Tuesday, and the practice areas were closed until 2:30 p.m. CT.
"This is probably the wettest conditions I have ever seen in the U.S. Women's Open," two-time champion Inbee Park said Tuesday during a conference call with reporters. "We just don't know what's going to happen."
The forecast calls for a 60 percent chance of rain Wednesday followed by a smaller risk for the first two scheduled rounds Thursday and Friday.
"Later this week, we're looking to resume a typical Alabama summer weather pattern, which are nice, warm temperatures with a chance each day of precipitation and storms late [in the] day," USGA championship director Matt Sawicki said. "Our intent is to play 18 holes each day. If we can't do that, we'll get in as much golf as we can and ultimately we're going to crown a champion."
The USGA, which conducts the event, has never played lift, clean and place -- preferred lies in the fairway -- in its championships because of poor turf conditions.
Bodenhamer praised the hard work of the Shoal Creek maintenance staff in dealing with the bad weather, which included wind gusts that knocked limbs off trees as Alberto moved through. In addition to the rain and wind damage, the turf has been hampered by a difficult winter and spring growing season that resulted in less than ideal conditions in a few areas, particularly on the par-5 17th hole.
"Honestly, I would think that they would have to play the ball up," Lexi Thompson told reporters during a phone interview Tuesday. "I played it yesterday, and it was pretty wet in some spots, and some of the fairways are a little bare in some spots.
"I think it will be a little unfair if they don't, but you never know. I mean, if they don't, everybody has to play it down, and it is what it is. But it's their choice. The rain has not helped that situation, so I guess come Thursday we'll see."