Weather delays plaguing U.S. Open at Oakmont

OAKMONT, Pa. — It’s raining cats and dogs here, not birdies and eagles.

Weather delays, namely severe thunderstorms, have caused play to be stopped twice here at the 2016 U.S. Open. The first delay began at approximately 10:05 a.m. and lasted about 75 minutes. After less than an hour of play, the field was again called off the course for lightning in the area and a pop-up thunderstorm bringing the strongest rain of championship week to Oakmont Country Club.

This is rain that is on top of the 1.1 inches that fell overnight Wednesday.

At this point, only 78 of the 156 players in the field have started their rounds, with 28-year-old Andrew Landry leading the tournament at 5 under par through 13 holes. The University of Arkansas product, who qualified through the 36-hole sectional in Memphis, is playing back-to-front.

Behind Landry are Bubba Watson, Danny Lee, Lee Westwood and Bryson DeChambeau, all at varying stages of their rounds.

However, it’s unlikely many of the players on the course, as well those waiting to tee off in the afternoon wave, will even approach the finish line today. More storms are expected starting around 2 p.m. that should carry through darkness.

It could be a long week.

Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.

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