Split tees? Multiple weather delays force rare change of schedule at U.S. Amateur at Oakmont

OAKMONT, Pa. — After yet another lengthy rain delay at the 121^st U.S. Amateur, the U.S. Golf Association is shaking things up with this week’s schedule.

In a rare move for the organization, the Round of 32 and Round of 16 at Oakmont Country Club will have players go off on split tees on Thursday and Friday, respectively, after a second consecutive day of play was rocked by another nearly four-hour weather delay.

The Round of 64, scheduled to finish on Wednesday, will be completed Thursday morning after Tuesday’s second round of stroke play at Oakmont and nearby Longue Vue Club was pushed to Wednesday morning. The horn blew on Wednesday afternoon just as a 12-for-1 playoff for the final match-play position was starting, also halting the start of the Round of 64.

Wednesday’s action was called due to darkness at 7:50 p.m. ET.

Despite the delay, one match was able to finish Wednesday evening at Oakmont, which earlier in the day was announced as the USGA’s second anchor site for future championships. Florida junior Ricky Castillo got out to an early lead against Donald Kay – who had former Haskins Award winner Norman Xiong on the bag – thanks to wins on four of the first five holes. Castillo never lost a hole in the match, ultimately winning, 5 and 4.

“I was just really excited to get back out there after the weather delay,” said Castillo. “I think all of us just wanted to go out and play golf and we were sick and tired of sitting in the locker room for a few hours. Just got off to a hot start, hit few good shots, made a few good putts, and just never looked back from there. It was a good match.”

Ricky Castillo stretches out in the locker room in the middle of a rain delay during the second round of stroke play at the 2021 U.S. Amateur at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pa. on Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021. (Justin Aller/USGA)

Castillo arrived at the course at 6:15 a.m. ET and had to finish seven holes from his second round.

“It was nice finishing the match before it got dark and everything, because I know it’s going to be tough, especially since I have momentum in the match. When you sleep on it, momentum can change quickly. So I was glad to finish the match like that.”

The Round of 64 will continue Thursday morning at 7:30 a.m. ET, with the first matches of the Round of 32 slated to start at 1:30 p.m. ET off the 1st and 10th holes.