PGA: Weather delay leaves leaders stalled

BY JOHN HUGGAN at BALTUSROL

THE huge smile on the face of Scotsman Russell Knox was in complete contrast to the frustration felt by his playing partner in the third round of the 98th USPGA Championship at Baltusrol, Marc Leishman.

Seconds earlier, just after Knox holed out for his par and a three under round of 67 and as Leishman stood over a ten-foot putt on the 18th green for a closing birdie and a 66, the hooter sounded signifying a postponement in play. Even worse for the Australian, because the delay was caused by “hazardous weather” in the shape of lightning, he was unable to hit his putt.

Puddles start to form on the 18th hole while play is suspended due to inclement weather.
PHOTO: Andy Lyons/Getty Images.

“That was almost a full-day’s work,” said Leishman with a rueful smile. “I felt like I played well. It was a continuation of my form from the second round really. Knowing I’ve got a ten-foot putt for birdie on the last and a 66 shows me I’m heading in the right direction. I just hope I get back out there today.”

Unfortunately, that last wish went unfulfilled as the conditions failed to improve before play was eventually called for the day at 5.55pm local time (7.55am AEST).

In all, 37 players managed to complete 18 holes before the heavens opened. And there were enough low scores to suggest that the new major championship record of 20-under-par set two weeks ago by Henrik Stenson in The Open at Royal Troon may be in jeopardy. As many as 17 men broke par – 18 if you count the imminent addition of Leishman.

Marc Leishman played well again in round three. He has a ten foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to finish his round. PHOTO: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images.

Best of the bunch were the 65s recorded by Padraig Harrington and Kevin Kisner, closely followed by Justin Rose and Charl Schwartzel, both of whom shot 66. Phil Mickelson was another under par. The five-time major champion got round in 68 blows to get himself under-par for the week.

“The golf course is susceptible to very low scoring,” Mickelson said. “There is a low 60s round out there. I think somebody is going to break that 63 major championship record in these next two days. The greens are pristine. You can make a lot of putts. They are soft, so you can get the ball very close. I think that there's a 61 or 62 out there that I was probably trying to chase a little too hard.

THE PGA LEADERBOARD AS IT STANDS

“The course is playing to where you can fly 6-, 7-, 8-irons at the hole and the ball is going to stop right there. The challenge of Baltusrol is the greens, and when they are soft that challenge and difficulty is negated. All that extra roll and run-off is not coming into the play.”

Harrington, winner of this event in 2008 at Oakland Hills, was another to take advantage of the – briefly – advantageous morning conditions. Although the Dubliner, who is half of the Irish team at the upcoming Olympics, was less impressed by how he had played in doing so.

Fans walk on the 18th hole during the extended rain delay. PHOTO: Andy Lyons/Getty Images.

“I probably made the most of the round today,” he admitted. “I played average but made the most of it, took my chances. I hit the right shots at the right times and any of the shots that I didn't hit well didn't do me any harm.  So it was one of those days. It's nice when you score better than you play.

“Thursday was the day I actually played really well, which is amazing. On the day I played my best, I had my worst score of the week so far. But that's the nature of the game.”

HOW THE AUSSIES STAND

There was, however, no doubt about the fastest-finisher of the truncated day’s play. That honour goes to Francesco Molinari. Four-over-par through 12 holes, the Italian made birdies at each of the last six holes.

“It was a bit of a strange round, to say the least,” the two-time Ryder Cup player said.

“I didn’t actually play particularly badly, but scored horribly. Then something clicked on the back nine, I rolled in a few nice putts and then couldn’t miss on the way home. Six birdies, is a great way to finish any round, but to do it in a major is obviously pretty special and it gives me a lot of confidence to take into tomorrow.”

For the record, Matt Jones (70) and Aaron Baddeley (71) were the only two of the eight Australians left extant by the halfway cut who completed their third rounds. Marcus Fraser was one under for the day and two under for the tournament through 13 holes. Scott Hend was even and two under through 10; John Senden one under and three under after six holes; and Adam Scott was even and three under through four. Seven-under-par overnight and in a tie for third place, World No.1 Jason Day had yet to make it to the 1^st tee.

Adam Scott plays a recovery shot on the 2nd hole. He will resume his third round on the 5th hole.
PHOTO: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images.

Play will resume at 7am local time Sunday (9pm AEST Sunday) to complete the third round, with the final round to follow. However, the weather forecast for Sunday includes a good chance for rain most of the day.

The final round will begin at 8:40am local time nine minute intervals; staying in the same pairings as Round 3, starting from the 1st hole.