Thunderstorms have forced the suspension of play during the third round of the US PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club before world No. 1 and defending champion Jason Day was able to start.
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The Associated Press reported that the PGA hopes to play two rounds on Sunday, provided the course could be ready by 7 a.m. If not, the tournament could conclude during the week. The final round is scheduled to begin at 8:40 a.m. Sunday, with the same pairings from the third round.
Play was suspended at 2:14 p.m., and just before 6 p.m., after hours of sustained rain, the PGA of America finally announced that there would be no more golf on this soggy day.
“I’m guessing we’re going to be here until at least Monday, hopefully not Tuesday”, said Robert Streb, the co-leader with Jimmy Walker at 9 under.
Forecasters called for rain Saturday night, Sunday and into Monday.
“Somebody is going to break that 63 record in these next two days”, Mickelson said after firing a third-round 68. Former PGA champion Padraig Harrington also posted a 65 and was at 4-under 206.
It was the fourth 63 at Baltusrol, following Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf in the opening round of the 1980 U.S. Open and Thomas Bjorn in the third round at 2005 PGA. “I need to kind of take a step back and be a little bit more patient because this was a great opportunity to put it together”.
Jordan Spieth, who had played just one hole when the horn sounded, speculated that given the weather forecasts, the PGA could even extend into Tuesday.
Haigh responded that the Saturday forecast wasn’t much different from the previous days, and they were caught off guard by the intensity and length of the storm.
Mickelson enjoyed one of the most visible challenges for 62 at the British Open two weeks ago when his putt for the record burned the edge of the cup.
But after missing the green with his approach, the four-time major victor took on a hard chip from heavy rough right of the green and needed three attempts to find the putting surface.
“I had a second and two thirds at the Open before this year, so I didn’t feel like I had anything to lose there – and I certainly don’t have anything to lose here”.
Then again, there is no defense for soft greens. “I think there’s a 61 or 62 out there because it’s par 70, the greens are pristine – they’re rolling beautifully – and they’re soft”.
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“The golf course is susceptible to very low scoring”, said Phil Mickelson, who was one of the 37 players to finish his round. Organizers didn’t move tee times up, and the tournament had to finish on Monday – when Phil Mickelson claimed a one-shot victory with a birdie on the 72nd hole.
