Holmes leads as play suspended at PGA
BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2008 US PGA Championship | Round Three | 10 Aug 2008
Play has been suspended late on day three at the PGA Championship after ongoing weather delays precluded the possibility of any further play.
When the decision to call play was finally made around 5.45pm, the 36 hole leader, J.B. Holmes, had still to tee off in his second round.
Several players took advantage of what was a generally friendlier Oakland Hills, none more so than the Argentine, Andres Romero, whose seven birdie round of 65 moved him from a share of 48th to a share of 8th place. With so many of those ahead of him still to tee off and with the luxury of not having to finish off his third round tomorrow, Romero is likely to be very much in the hunt entering the final round.
Romero was one of the tournament leaders when play was called late on Friday but after completing his opening round on Saturday he then recorded a second round of 77 and appeared to have cost himself a chance of contending. That has changed very quickly today.
Others who have significantly improved their chances during round three include Camillo Villegas, Frederik Jacobson, Graham McDowell and Prayad Marksaeng who are well into their rounds and have all moved from obscurity to contention.
Villegas is now at 2 over and in 8th position after starting the day 35th while the other three are at 3 over and now in 17th position after also improving from 35th overnight.
Of the Australasians, Aaron Baddeley had just started his round and has played just one hole in even par and remains at 2 over for the tournament.
Stuart Appleby has continued his progress after his opening round of 76 and following his second round of 70, has improved further with three birdies and a bogey today to now be at 4 over for the tournament through 12 holes and in 25th position and just five behind the lead.
Steve Elkington dropped a shot in his first seven holes and is at 5 over, Mark Brown continues to do well after his shaky start on Thursday and is at 6 over.
Michael Campbell has slipped a little on day three and is in 35th position at 6 over, Robert Allenby and John Senden are at 7 over after third rounds of 72.
Geoff Oglivy and Peter Lonard both had 74 and are at 11 and 12 over respectively and Richard Green’s struggles after a good start continue with a round of 79 today.
All going well, play will resume at 7.15am local time with the final pairing of J.B. Holmes and Charlie Wi to tee off at 7.40.
