Dubai Desert Classic battles deluge

DUBAI, AFP: The Dubai Desert Classic was hit by a deluge of biblical proportion with Thursday’s opening round behind closed doors hit by a lengthy delay.

A weather front on the eve of play dumped nearly 40 millimetres of rain and caused a delay of over six hours as maintenance staff battled to make the course playable.

Only 18 players managed to complete their rounds, leaving well over a 100 facing an early start Friday.

Only two groups on either sides of the soaked golf course were able to finish their round, and the remaining players from the morning wave will have to return early and finish theirs.

None of the afternoon group could go out on the golf course and they face the prospect of a long day of 36 holes.