R&A insists: we will weather the storm

Tiger Wood's soggy start as the heavens open (AP)

The R&A says there will be no repeat at Lytham of the weather chaos suffered at the Formula One grand prix at Silverstone despite a forecast of further heavy rain over the next two days.

Chief executive Peter Dawson said: "We have rain but we will cope with it. Our car park contingency is very strong. There is only one of our car parks that could be a problem and we have hard standing elsewhere, so we are not into a Silverstone situation." Dawson also defended the course against accusations of unplayable rough: "The rough is up but the course is reasonably generous on width."