Play got underway in the weather-hit second round of the British Open at St Andrews on Saturday, but officials soon called another halt due to strong winds.
More than three hours of play was lost at the start of Friday’s action when a storm deluged the Old Course, and 42 players were unable to complete their rounds by the time darkness fell.
The wet weather had passed through by Saturday morning and play got underway on schedule at 7am (10am UAE), but it soon became apparent that on the more exposed parts of the course balls were moving about.
Officials called a halt at 732am. The forecast was for the wind to be sustained during the morning but easing in the afternoon.
It had already been announced that once the cut is made, play will be in three-ball groupings for the third round in an effort to get the tournament back on schedule.
“We spent an hour at the far end of the course, before play started, assessing whether the course was playable,” a statement from the R&A said.
“Balls were not moving on the greens and while the conditions were extremely difficult, we considered the golf course to be playable.
“Gusts of wind increased in speed by 10-15 per cent after play resumed. This could not be foreseen at the time that play was restarted and made a material difference to the playability of the golf course.
“We will make an announcement on when play is likely to restart in due course.”
In the short time that play was possible, leader Dustin Johnson fluffed his chip to the 15th green and dropped a shot to slip back to 9-under.
Playing partner Jordan Spieth stayed at 5-under as he continued his quest for a third straight major title after his wins at the Masters and the US Open.
“We should never have started,” Jordan Spieth was heard muttering as he was informed of the decision by a R&A official
The clubhouse leader was England’s former world amateur No 1 Danny Willett, who fired a 69 on Friday to stand at 9-under 135.
Willett, a 27-year-old from Sheffield who is aiming to become England’s first Open champion in 23 years, has steadily risen to 39th in the world this year.
Two strokes further back were a quartet consisting of former world No 1 Adam Scott (67), American Robert Streb (71), 2007 Masters champion and another American, Zach Johnson (71) and top Scot Marc Warren (69).
Still out on the course, Scot Paul Lawrie was at 8-under after 13 holes and 2010 champion at St Andrews Louis Oosthuizen at 7-under after 12.
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