Rain forces early start on Sunday
SPRINGFIELD, N.J. — The ominous, dark-gray clouds could be seen moving in on Baltusrol Golf Club from the 18th hole at around 12:30 p.m. Saturday, just as Phil Mickelson finished his day with a birdie. A thunderstorm was long in the forecast, and one wreaked havoc on the third round of the PGA Championship, halting play at 2:14 p.m.
The final five pairings for the third round never made it to the first tee box as play was called shortly before 6 p.m. and is set to resume Sunday at 7 a.m., weather permitting; rain remains in the forecast for Sunday and Monday. Final-round tee times are scheduled Sunday from 8:40 a.m. through approximately 3:25 p.m. in nine-minute intervals, with third-round pairings remaining the same throughout the day.
“We had the three cells of dangerous weather,” PGA chief championships officer Kerry Haigh said. “We suspended when the first one came. The second two were only 30, 35 miles to our south, southwest. The forecast was for them to move through, and there was some clear, clear skies behind them.
“But obviously the good news was once the second cell, or the third cell went through and dissipated, it was safe. Then the rain came down a lot heavier and caused basically the golf course to have standing water and was unplayable. And even if it were to stop, we could not get the course playable.”
The PGA’s goal is to finish the tournament Sunday and have everyone tee off from the first hole. Jimmy Walker and Robert Streb remain atop the leaderboard at 9-under with Jason Day and Emiliano Grillo each at 7-under.
“I think the plus side was that I didn’t actually have to go out,” said defending champion Jason Day, who’s one stroke ahead of British Open champion Henrik Stenson. “Obviously if you get off to a bad start, you’re thinking about it, and vice versa is if you get off to a good start, you’re thinking about it, as well.”
Every player must be ready and in position at 7 a.m. Sunday.
“Just wish I could sleep in,” said Jordan Spieth, who is 3-under and has a 19-foot birdie putt waiting for him on hole No. 2. “Not going to get to sleep in. It will be a wake-up call in the 4:00s.”