Royal Melbourne hit by rainstorms, bunkers damaged

Published Nov. 9, 2011 6:54 p.m. ET

foxsports

Storms the past two nights have damaged some of the bunkers at Royal Melbourne, the site of the Presidents Cup next week.

Nearly three inches of rain has fallen at Royal Melbourne, although course superintendent Richard Forsyth said Thursday that large hail that hit the surrounding area missed the venue. He said the hail could have caused serious damage to greens, but that the rain ''will help set up the course nicely.''

While some bunker faces were damaged, Forsyth said ''we've got a large crew here and we'll be able to get them repaired.''

The United States will face an International team Nov. 17-20 on a composite course at Royal Melbourne, where the International team earned its only win in eight previous tournaments in 1998.