PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas -- Faced with a flooded course in which some fairways were more suited for fishing than playing golf, the LPGA Tour found a unique solution Thursday. It shortened the Ocean Club to 12 holes for at least the first round of its inaugural Bahamas Classic. The only other option might have been to cancel the tournament. A storm the locals havent seen in 20 years poured a foot of rain on Paradise Island earlier in the week. A lake that separates the ninth and 18th holes turned into a lagoon, setting off a chain reaction of drainage problems. Even with nine pumps siphoning water back into the ocean, progress was slow. "Every time I come up with a decision, a third of my tour doesnt like it. But I cant be afraid of that," LPGA Tour commissioner Mike Whan said. "I dont expect people to love the outcome, but its better than the alternative. ... Everybody who plays over the next few days is going to play the same thing. Its OK not to like it." Whan listened to a spirited discussion about the Bahamas Classic counting as official. The LPGA Tour policy says a tournament has to be 36 holes to be official, and this likely will be every bit of that -- if not more. The tournament will start Friday over 12 holes, and the number of holes could be expanded each day depending on how fast the water drains. The hope was for an 18-hole finish on Sunday. "I feel sorry for Pure Silk. Theyve done a hell of a job with the tournament," Juli Inkster said. Ohio-based Pure Silk signed on with the Bahamas Tourism Ministry as title sponsors of the $1.3 million event, the first time the LPGA Tour has come to the Bahamas. "I think we should play," Inkster said. "We should play as many as we can and crown a winner. I just think were here, and everyone has the same opportunity to play well and win. Its a rare thing thats happened once since Ive been out here. And Ive been out here a long time." Inkster and Laura Davies were at the 1988 Kemper Open in Hawaii, which not only was shortened to 54 holes because of torrential rain, but only 16 holes were used for the first round because two holes were under water. Going even further back in history -- way back -- the British Open first was played at Prestwick and contested on the 12-hour course over three rounds until the course eventually expanded to 18 holes. So the winner of the Bahamas Classic will have something in common with Old Tom Morris. Stacy Lewis won a tournament in Arkansas where it rained so hard it took three days to get in 18 holes. It did not count as official. "Its strange to play 12 holes a day, but were all going to play the same holes," she said. "When you get out there and play, you do the best you can." How flooded is the course? Lewis has quite the fish tale. She was on the course Wednesday afternoon with Brittany Lincicome, not with golf clubs but fishing rods. Wading along in the ninth fairway, Lewis said she hooked a tarpon she estimated at about 4 feet. The tarpon spun high out of the water and broke the line. Yes, the big one got away. "Ive hooked some big ones," Lewis said. "But Ive never seen a fish that big on a golf course." Starting times have been adjusted. Instead of a two-tee start for the 144-player field, everyone will start on No. 10 and then weave their way around the Tom Weiskopf design in the following order: 6-7-4-5-11-12-13-14-2-3 before finishing on No. 8. The pars and yardages on some holes might have to change, though one principle of golf remains -- low score wins. Suzann Pettersen was among those peppering Whan with questions on why it would be official, especially with Solheim Cup and ranking points available, along with the money list. She stood by her opinion, but was ready and willing to play. "Were doing the best with what we have," Pettersen said. "Youve just got to fill out whatever box is there on the scorecard." Davies came to the Ocean Club on Thursday, which was sunny and balmy for much of the day, just to get some practice. She had been at the Atlantis Resort for so much of the week, and she stopped going to casinos "because I dont win anymore." Sizing up the situation at the course, Davies said the LPGA Tour "made the best of a bad lot." "Youve got all these people working so hard to get the course ready," she said. "Its different, dont get me wrong. But I agree with them. Lets play. ... It takes a lot away if its not official. And its the same for everybody." It also put new meaning in the LPGA Tours slogan: "See why its different out here." Nike Air Max Plus Tn Baratas . -- Kyrie Irvings last-minute 3-pointer helped seal another victory for Cleveland -- and the Cavaliers longest winning streak since LeBron James left. Vapormax Baratas Originales . The Browns coaching search remains incomplete. http://www.vapormaxbaratas.com/ . That left plenty of energy for pitching books and swatting away free agency questions. Anthony had 24 points and nine rebounds, and the Knicks avenged an embarrassing home loss with a rout of their own, beating the Boston Celtics 114-88 on Wednesday night for their third straight victory. Nike Air Vapormax Flyknit 2 Rebajas .500 on the season. The Jets are now 0-5-1 in the second game of back-to-backs. The game started the same way the Vancouver game started the night before, with the Jets taking the first two penalties of the game and killing off the first, but the Oilers getting on the board first, scoring on the second man-advantage. Vapormax Flyknit 2 Baratas . - Oakland Raiders running back Rashad Jennings was speaking to a group of local high school students earlier this week when the conversation turned to the importance of being prepared when opportunities in life arise.European Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke has no doubt that Rory McIlory will conquer his Augusta demons and claim a career Grand Slam. The Northern Irishman followed Saturdays disappointing 77 with a one-under-par final round at the Masters, leaving him well adrift as Danny Willett emerged victorious in a dramatic finale.Having claimed US Open, The Open and two US PGA titles in the last five years, McIlroy is just one short of a full house and admitted he needs to overcome a mental hurdle to finally conquer Augusta National. Compatriot Clarke is confident that success will come sooner rather than later. Danny Willett attempted to describe how he felt after winning the 2016 Masters Speaking at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, Clarke told Sky Sports News HQ: I have no qualms about Rory. He is probably the most talented golfer in the world. Hes so good its only a matter of time before he wins aat Augusta.ddddddddddddHe didnt play his best at the weekend over there but you know he wants to win too much and too badly. Im sure hes going to get back to winning ways very very soon. Augusta is set up perfectly for him and I have no doubt he is going to win there at some stage.The picture is looking rosy for European Ryder Cup backers at this stage with seven European players finishing in the top 10 at the Masters, but Clarke says there is still plenty of time for others to stake their claims for a place in his 12-man team. Captain Paul McGinley celebrates Ryder Cup success at Gleneagles in 2014 He said: Any time you seen seven European in the top 10 at a major that is going to be good news, especially in Ryder Cup year. It was wonderful to see - I just hope they are all in the same form when it come to September at Hazeltine!There is a long way to go yet before qualification ends. Im sure the team make up will change between now and then. My stats people say there are four people that are 100 per cent certain to be there but there is still long way to go and a lot can change. Even as a captain, Im excited like everyone else to see who is going to make the team and who is going to miss out.The 2016 Ryder Cup is being held at Hazeltine in the United States and takes place from September 30 to October 2. You will be able to follow every shot with us on Sky Sports TV and on the Sky Sports website and apps. Also See: Rory: Augusta mindset needed More to come from Willett Dougherty: Greatest Masters ever Golf live on Sky Sports 4 ' ' '