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Rain-Softened Course Leads to Shortening Some Holes at Open

LANCASTER, Pennsylvania — Tees at the U.S. Women's Open will be moved forward on several holes due to recent rains that have softened the hilly, 6,483-yard Lancaster Country Club course, officials said on Wednesday.

United States Golf Association officials said the layout designed by William Flynn could play as many as 280 yards shorter than its listed 6,483 yards, depending on any further rain.

"Mother Nature hasn't cooperated with us, so we're dealing with a slightly softer golf course than we would like," championship director Ben Kimball told reporters ahead of Thursday's first round.

"It's just unfortunate that seven-plus inches (18 centimetres) of rain in June and some in the early part of July are keeping us from what we'd like to see.