It was announced late Sunday afternoon that the 2016 Zurich Classic of New Orleans will be a 54-hole tournament instead of the normal 72 because of the weather.
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There is likely to be a three hour window for play on Monday morning (Tuesday AEST), however organisers are still concerned that might not be enough to complete the third round.
Defending champion Olivia Mehaffey (Royal County Down) is two shots off the lead, while Jessica Ross (Donaghadee) and Rachel Thompson (Cork) are a fuurther three shots behind.
In pursuit of his second victory on the PGA Tour, the 31-year-old birdied four of his last nine holes to shoot an eight-under-par 64 on a rain-softened layout.
However, Monday’s forecast also calls for more rain in the area. He said the threat of impending rain won’t affect how he plays, if and when he’s able to get on the course Sunday.
Vegas rolled in birdie putts at his first two holes of the third round while Stuard, who held a one-shot lead overnight, made one birdie before the round was suspended after just over two hours of play.
Lovemark and Vegas were among the countless golfers who did not start their third round Saturday.
That left him at 12-under 132, a stroke in front of American Jamie Lovemark (66) and Jhonattan Vegas of Venezuela (69), who both completed their rounds on Friday.
“Yeah, it would be nice to get that 54-hole finish, but we’ll see”, Stuard said.
Day is tied with Charley Hoffman, Scott Stallings, Chris Kirk and Charles Howell III.
“But when things like this happen, you just got to try and take the opportunities that you get, capitalize on them and try and win the tournament that way, even though it may be a 54-hole event”.
The long-hitting U.S. Solheim Cup hero lives in Plano, about 20 miles from Las Colinas. Amy Yang (65) and Mi Jung Hur (66) were tied for second at 12 under, and Jenny Shin (65) and Sei Young Kim (68) were 10 under.
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After rain and thunderstorms again brought the tournament in New Orleans to a halt, tournament officials said play would resume on Monday, and would conclude after three rounds.
