As play stuttered to a halt around the course following a delay of more than three hours due to torrential early rain, Watson and playing partners Ernie Els and Brandt Snedeker opted to complete their second rounds in near-darkness.
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The second round yesterday got under way at the scheduled 0632 local time (0932 UAE time) but was suspended before the first group could finish the first hole after severe rain left the golf course water-logged and unplayable.
Meanwhile, two-time US Open champion Retief Goosen looked back to his old self, and he was also one of six players ending the day one shot off the lead.
Three-time champion Tiger Woods is five over after 11 and is set to miss only his second cut in 19 Open appearances.
A flag bows in the wind as play is suspended Spieth meanwhile was fuming that organisers had sent the players out in the conditions, and was picked up on TV saying: “We should never have started”. Both returned to their balls just short of the green in two but Johnson’s chip was blown off the green and he took three to get down from there for bogey. The forecast was for the wind to be sustained during the morning but easing in the afternoon.
Jason Day is tied for third place at 8-under and will resume play on No. 12. He switched into a sweater that he wore for his first Open title in 1987 at Muirfield, thrust his arms in the air atop the Swilcan Bridge, and saved par for a 71.
“It doesn’t happen every day and, like I said, just tried to enjoy that my name was there”, he said.
Danny Willett fired his second consecutive sub-70 round at the Open Championship to remain in contention heading into the weekend.
Spieth had two bogeys and three birdies on the front nine and walked off the course at 5-under.
Phil Mickelson was moving up the leader board with three birdies through 10 holes to get within 4 shots of the lead.
Scott was at 7-under 137, along with Zach Johnson (71), Marc Warren (69) and Robert Streb (71).
Woods is 5 over with those seven holes to play.
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“I feel like I am hitting some good shots and am confident with my putter and I am in a good position”. Scott, the 2013 Masters champion, is still looking to redeem himself after victory slipped through his fingertips after a final round collapse at the 2012 Open Championship, and is very much in the hunt to raise the Claret Jug on Sunday. He will finish the remainder of his second round tomorrow morning. “I don’t know if that was the difference when we teed off or just in attendance, but every hole seemed to be lined and a lot of great support out there”.
