THE Monster got a merciless drenching yesterday as torrential rain lashed Oakland, Hills. From noon, loud" cracks of thunder and lightning flashes contributed to dramatic conditions, the like, of which are decidedly alien to those of us from mores temperate climes.

It made for a grim build up to the 96th US Open Championship, set to start at 7.0 a.m. local time, this morning.

So severe was the downpour that I'm typing this with water lapping around my feet in a media centre where half the lights' have gone out. And, with classic irony, the weather channel on the television screen to my right, is displaying a map of Britain and Ireland, with temperatures in the seventies. All competitors were called off the course which was closed for the remainder of the day.

From a positive perspective, the rain has ended all speculation as to the receptive nature of notoriously difficult greens, at least where the first round is concerned. They will be soft and of moderate pace, in sharp contrast to the desired firmness and speed invariably associated with this the showpiece of the US Golf Association.

Length is going to be a crucial factor, despite an apparently moderate overall yardage of 6,974. "I've never played anywhere this long," said Darren Clarke who, with Philip Walton, will form Ireland's first, two man challenge since David Feherty and Ronan Rafferty played at Pebble Beach four years ago.

Clarke, rated among the most powerful strikers on the European Tour, went on to explain "For approach shots at par fours, I hit two three irons, five four irons and one five iron out there today. And I felt I couldn't afford to go with less than driver at any hole, with the exception of the first (433 yards) and the 16th (403 yards) where I hit a three wood."

This is the sort of challenge that Corey Pavin he of decidedly modest power faces in an attempt at emulating Curtis Strange in 1989 by successfully defending the title. And it is where Nick Faldo has been positively licking his lips in anticipation of a US Open breakthrough.

In a golfing era in which birdies and eagles have become common currency, Oakland Hills is set to restore respectability to the humble bold par.

Apart from the elements, it will achieve this through its 120 acres of the lushest rough imaginable rough from which it is unrealistic to hit more than a short iron with any hope of success. As Tom Watson put it. "Your chance of reaching the green out of rough is virtually nil."

Then there are the 140 bunkers, including a decidedly eccentric one in the middle of the 15th fairway. The course has two water hazards, one in play off the tee to the right of the seventh fairway and the other short and right off the 16th green. Finally, the greens, at an average size of less than 700 square yards, are undulating and quite small for a championship course.

Clarke and Walton were satisfied with their preparation for the event. "I'm playing well but I'm trying not to think of it as a special tournament," said Clarke, who goes into action at 10.0 a.m. local time this morning with Americans Fred Funk and Mark Wiebe. "The last thing you want is to be increasing the pressure on yourself in an event like this."

While the Dungannon man practised for a second successive day with Colin Montgomerie and Barry Lane, Walton took a more solitary approach, though he played the back nine yesterday with Sweden's Anders Forsbrand. "I like the course," he said. "It certainly has much in common with Oak Hill (venue of last September's Ryder Cup) and that's given me some positive thoughts."

The rain will certainly come as a boost to the Malahide man who would not have welcomed treacherous greens, given his rather in different putting form prior to arriving here. Walton goes into action at 8.30 a.m. (local time) ,with USPGA champion Steve Elkington and alternate Randy Leen, who replaced the injured Fred Couples last Monday.

Wet, medium paced greens were also crucial in Ian Woosnam's decision to stay with a conventional putter. Troubled with the blade in recent weeks, the Welshman brought a broomhandle putter here as part of his baggage but will not be using it, barring major problems today.

There are a total of 14 European players in action Alexander Cejka, Clarke, Paul Eales, Nick Faldo, Anders Forsbrand, David Gilford, Mark James Barry Lane, Bernhard Langer Colin Montgomerie, Costantino Rocca, Sam Torrance, Woosnam and Walton.

Eales, the tournament professional at Royal Lytham, came through the local qualifying here but has had a wretched build up to the event, due to the fact that an airline misplaced his clubs.

When Andy North prepared for the US Open here in 1985, the occasion of his second title, he didn't shoot at the flags, but rather played to what he considered was a comfortable two putt area. That remains the sensible strategy on greens that no less a figure than Jack Nicklaus rates as considerably more difficult than those at Augusta National.

Not surprisingly, it is endorsed by Faldo who, despite the support of Las Vegas gamblers for Gregg Norman, is unquestionably the player to beat. "I quite enjoy the idea of par being a winning score," said the Englishman who will be competing in the championship for a 10th time. It's hiss first challenge at Oakland Hills which he has studied intently over the last few days.

In certain respects the course is similar to Oak Hill except for the greens which are far more demanding," he said. "I'm pleased with my preparation. I needed a rest after the Masters and after two useful outings in Europe (he was tied 12th in the Benson and Hedges International and tied second in the Volvo PGA Championship), I got back to US action last weekend." That was in the Buick Classic at Westchester where he failed to break 70 over the four days and finished tied 40th behind Ernie Els.

He went on. "You've got to content yourself with par, for the simple reason that there aren't "many birdie holes out there. For instance, I can't reach either off the par fives in two." Did he consider the term Monster, ascribed to it by the great Ben Hogan, as appropriate? "I certainly do," he replied. "In fact it will be called quite a few other, choice names, if it firms up over the weekend." Whatever about American betting, Faldo should be favourite. And we may anticipate strong challenges from Els, Phil Mickelson, Mark O'Meara, Montgomerie and possibly Pavin, though the length of the course will militate against him.

It is the stated objective of the USGA that this championship should identify rather than humiliate the best golfers in the world. One can't help feeling, however, there will be quite a few red faces among the game's leading practitioners, before this weekend is over.