Associated Press
Saturday, July 15

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. -- Allison Finney's honesty Saturday was as impressive as her golf game had been the previous two days.

Heavy morning rain made the course at Wykagyl Country Club unplayable and LPGA Tour officials canceled the third round of the Big Apple Classic at 10:30 a.m., shortening the $900,000 event to 54 holes.

In a 1½ hour period Saturday morning, and inch-and-a-half of rain fell and the weather forecast called for more rain with Westchester County under a flash flood watch until midday Sunday.

Tour officials said if the leaders did not get through at least nine holes Sunday, the results would revert to the 36-hole scores.

Finney, whose only tour victory came in 1989, was asked if she would feel a victory that way would be tainted.

"I'll take a victory with an asterisk to add to my collection of other victory," the Stanford graduate said with a laugh. "I'd rather be a winner after 36 holes than second after 54."

Finney's 9-under 133 total was capped with a 30-foot birdie putt in near darkness Friday and it gave her a one-stroke lead over Annika Sorenstam, a four-time winner this year, including last week at the Jamie Farr Kroger Classic.

The best finish this season for Finney, 41, was a tie for 32nd. Until finishing tied for 51st last week, she had missed four straight cuts.

The $135,000 first prize in this tournament, sponsored by Japan Airlines, would dwarf her earnings $10,344 for the year which has her 149th on the money list.

Sorenstam has 22 career wins and is second on the money list with $850,635.

Sorenstam, Finney and Rosie Jones, who shared the first-round lead with Finney and was third alone at 135 after 36 holes, are set to be the final group if there is a final round.

"I wouldn't use intimidating," Finney said of playing with Sorenstam.

"Does everybody in the world think she is going to win? Yes. Does that mean I don't have a chance? No. Rosie is a great player and she's not thinking Annika is going to win. I won't pay attention to them. I'll be as patient as I've been and that will be real hard and a challenge. One way or the other it won't be the end of the world."

Finney said her victory at the Standard Register Turquoise Classic came "back in the dark ages."

"I haven't hit the ball like that this week but I've putted great here," she said.

Sorenstam said her approach Sunday will be different.

"You have to get momentum going on a tough front nine and momentum will be important because tomorrow is everything," she said. "I'm sure the course will different now as well. You won't be as long off the tee and you can go right at the flag. I want to play. It's no fun hanging out."

Sorenstam said she was going to go to the movies and see "The Perfect Storm."

"I thought that would be appropriate under the conditions," she said.

Ashli Bunch was fourth after 36 holes at 137, while Jennifer Feldott and Beth Daniel were another stroke back.

This is the first LPGA tournament shortened by weather since the City of Hope Myrtle Beach Classic was cut from 72 to 36 holes last May.

"The greens are really not too bad, the greens are the least of the concerns," said Barb Trammell, LPGA Director of Tournament Operations. "A lot of bunkers are washed out and several fairways are under water.

"We're hoping we don't get the amount of rain they're predicting, up to as much as three inches."

If the leaders do get through nine holes and play was then suspended, the tournament would be completed Monday, something the players hope to avoid with the U.S. Open starting Thursday in Libertyville, Ill.