Raging wind and torrential rain forced abandonment of yesterday's first round of the Bermuda Open golf championships, reducing the tournament from a 72- to a 54-hole event.

Players will start afresh this morning, even those who completed their round in yesterday's treacherous conditions, which included wind gusts of over 40 miles per hour. But the decision to cancel the first round entirely stoked up another storm . . . of controversy.

Among the most vocal was reportedly American Richard Johnson, a leading money winner on the Buy.Com Tour last year.

Of the 20-plus players who completed all 18-holes, he had one of the best rounds, a 78, and was bitterly disappointed that his efforts would count for nought.

Canadian Ian Doig, a former winner of the Belmont Invitation, might have been even more frustrated, after carding a spectacular three-over par 74.

They and others with respectable scores on a day when it was difficult to stand up let alone swing a club, apparently believed that the first round should have been suspended and those out on the course be required to finish their rounds this morning.

However, the tournament committee decided it would be fairer for all if the first round be completely scrapped.

Bermuda Golf Association secretary Tom Smith said about a third of the field had completed 18 holes when the decision was taken.

"It's now a 54-hole tournament," confirmed Smith. "And there will be no cut, everybody will play three rounds."

"Ian Doig had turned in a 74 and Richard Johnson a 78. And I suppose you could say they were the most loquacious.

"It's fair to say one or two players had violent criticism of the decision. But it was a joint decision made by those on the tournament committee.

"The fact was, players were no longer able to play golf. The balls were rolling on the greens, and people weren't able to even stand up."

Among those relieved at the abandonment was Bermuda's star amateur Michael Sims who had already returned with a score in the 80s when the call for players to come in was made.

A close friend of Sims, Jim Salinetti, who is staying with the Bermudian, was another who endorsed the decision.

"It was just outrageous out there," he said. "We weren't playing golf. It was survival. It was unplayable. I mean just to stand up in a few spots on the course was very difficult. You could hardly swing the club, the combination of wind and rain just made it impossible.

"I can't believe we actually played."

Asked whether he had played in worse conditions, Salinetti replied: "The only thing we had going for us was that it was warm, at least for us Americans. If it had been any colder, I think it would have been the worst I'd ever played in.

"I'd finished 10 holes and was six over after a triple (bogey) on the first. I was actually playing pretty well, but most of the problems came with putting and around the greens, that's where I had all my trouble. It was ridiculous."

Asked about his pal Sims, Salinetti said: "He didn't have a good day at all. He was definitely glad it was called, and I think most of us felt the same.

"Some people are going to be pretty upset, the guys who finished and had a good round. I think they felt those who didn't finish should come out in the morning and complete their round. But I don't know all the circumstances. It's a tough call."