Storms halt third round at Baltusrol
SPRINGFIELD: Thunderstorms that prevented leaders from starting the third round of the PGA Championship on Saturday set the stage for a bizarre finish at rain-swamped Baltusrol.
Top-ranked defending champion Jason Day of Australia, only two shots back of US co-leaders Jimmy Walker and Robert Streb, and British Open champion Henrik Stenson, who sat three adrift, were among those unable to tee off due to dangerous weather.
“The course looks like it’s unplayable. Everything is underwater, regardless of whether the lightning stopped,” said Streb, who matched the low round in major history with a seven-under 63 on Friday.
But 37 of 86 golfers who made the cut did complete the third round before storms stopped play for the day, with resumption set for 7am (6pm Thai time) yesterday over the water-logged par-70 layout.
More thunderstorms are forecast, so Kerry Haigh, PGA of America’s chief championships officer, decided to keep thirdround pairings for the fourth round.
“Our hope is that those showers or storms hit elsewhere,” Haigh said.
But it means American Kevin Kisner, who fired a five-under-par 65 to share sixth on five-under 205, will play his final round while Day and other 36-hole leaders are in their third.
“There’s going to be people that play 18 holes like Kevin Kisner and he’s going to have a little bit more of an advantage,” said Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo, level with Day for third.
Haigh called the situation “unfortunate” but added, “That will be an interesting dynamic, for sure. It will add to the excitement, actually.”
Haigh decided against using threesomes off two tees early Saturday to complete the third round before the storms because the same forecast produced only a minor stoppage on Friday, and he wants everyone off the first tee on the weekend.
“It’s a major championship and we certainly try and look at starting from one tee wherever we can,” Haigh told reporters after play was called on Saturday.
“We feel it’s important for all the players to play from the first tee and play the holes in order.
“Unfortunately the weather didn’t help us today.”
Streb and Walker were on nine-under 131 after 36 holes, two shots ahead of Day and Grillo with Stenson fifth at six under as the mental and physical challenge loomed.
“I’m happy to stay here until Tuesday just to get it done,” Day said.
“You’ve got to be a little bit aggressive. It should yield a few more birdies, but also stay patient with regards to the weather, just keep yourself mentally intact. If you don’t, you can start playing some poor golf.”
Kisner birdied three of the last four holes for a 65 to grab the clubhouse lead. He doubted 63 would fall but admitted, “Somebody gets hot, you never know.”
“Keep it in the fairway, you can attack. The course is receptive enough. You can make a lot of birdies.”