U.S. Amateur rocked by lengthy weather delay; Birthday boy Mark Goetz leads

August 11, 2021

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OAKMONT, Pa. — The 121^st U.S. Amateur was rocked by a nearly four-hour long weather delay on Tuesday, shaking up the schedule for the rest of the week.

Play was halted at both Oakmont Country Club and Longue Vue Club at 1:34 p.m. ET midway through Tuesday’s second round of stroke play due to dangerous weather in the area. The skies cleared and the action resumed at 5:24 p.m. ET, but play was again stopped at 8 p.m. ET due to darkness before the second round could be completed.

Mark Goetz, who grew up just 30 miles from Oakmont in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, currently holds the lead at 9 under. The West Virginia fifth year fired a bogey-free 6-under 64 Monday at Longue Vue and was 3 under Tuesday at Oakmont before he was stopped after 12 holes.

“It’s the most memorable two days of my career by a mile, there’s nothing that will even come close,” said Goetz, who estimates he’s played Oakmont a dozen or so times in his life. “This place can beat you to your core. It’s disgustingly hard. If you play scared out here, you’re a little bit tentative, man it’ll bite you in the butt so fast. So I really didn’t have any expectations this week, and it’s because of how difficult this place is.”

Making the week that much more special, Goetz celebrated his 23rd birthday on Tuesday.

“I don’t think you could top this one, for sure,” said Goetz. “The two U.S. Amateurs I’ve made, the second day of stroke play has fallen on August 10. So my 21st was in Pinehurst, I had to play No. 2 the next day.”

And his plans to celebrate?

“I’m probably going to get some McDonald’s on the way home. Probably get another sweet tea and just crash.”

The second round will resume at 7:30 a.m. ET Wednesday morning, with the field of 312 players being cut to 64. If a playoff is necessary for the final spots in match play, the earliest possible start time will be 12:30 p.m. ET. The Round of 64 matches will start no earlier than 12:45 p.m ET. Match play will only be contested at Oakmont.