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Lee Westwood and Tony Johnstone amuse themselves with a bunker competition as play is abandoned at Jerez
(© Allsport) |
Paul McGinley opened up a two-stroke lead after the delayed second round of the Volvo Masters today before more strong winds caused the third round to be suspended for the day.
McGinley, one of 20 players yet to complete their rounds when high winds led to a suspension of play yesterday, may have dropped a shot at the last but still managed to card a three-under-par 69 for a total of 135, nine under overall.
That left him two clear of overnight leader Mathias Gronberg of Sweden, who fired an impressive second-round 67 after being boosted by two eagles on the front nine.
Padraig Harrington, who completed a 71 this morning, shares third place on six-under Darren Clarke to constitute a strong Irish challenge with three out of the top four positions.
But whether the wind-battered tournament was struck yet another blow when this morning’s third round, set for a two-tee start with three-ball groupings instead of the scheduled two-ball pairs, was abandoned for the day due to winds sweeping across Jerez.
Tournament officials said play would start early tomorrow morning, from two tees, but no decision has yet been made on whether or not the event will be reduced to just three rounds.
"These greens are unbelievable right now because of the wind," McGinley said in the morning after his second-round 69.
"They are unbelievably quick - the quickest we've putted on all year, no question. It's really tough in the wind and putting across shadows is tough as well.
"But I feel comfortable in this position and my results this year have given me more confidence."
The Dubliner was nine-under for the tournament overnight, having holed a 12-foot birdie putt at the par-four 12th just before the players were called off the course.
He began with three straight pars in buffeting winds this morning before picking up another shot at the par-five 16th to get to 10-under, three ahead of the field.
But McGinley, who won this year's Wales Open at Celtic Manor after a playoff, then bogeyed the 433-yard 18th. But he still had time for a wry smile at the weather afterwards, claiming the poor conditions made him feel at home.
Irish people don't mind this weather!" said McGinley afterwards.
"By Irish standards it's not bad, I've played a lot of winter golf in Ireland and it's a bit like this.
"Back at home everybody would be saying what a great day for golf."