US OPEN: Waiting times leave Bubba seething

Hometown professional Michael Putnam hit the first shot of the 115th US Open at 7am local time yesterday and five hours and 13 minutes later was sinking the final putt of his first round for an opening level-par 70 at Chambers Bay near Tacoma, Washington.

That round was almost 30 minutes longer than the four hours 45 minutes USGA executive director Mike Davis on Wednesday had estimated the lead group’s rounds to take and Putnam’s time was as quick as it got during the first round.

By the time the fourth group reached the 17th tee, play had slowed to such an extent that its members — Phil Mickelson, Bubba Watson, and Angel Cabrera — were forced to wait around 10 minutes before playing their opening shots on the par-3 hole.