A day of frustrating delays was what the players suffered in the third round of the €80,000 Irish PGA Championship at The European Club with play being suspended three times due to the elements as the nasty Weather Man opened the clouds.
In start contrast to the brilliant sunshine of Thursday, the players awoke to lashing rain that battered the scenic Wicklow coastline. Only the first eight two-balls managed to tee-off before the horn sounded to cease the action due to the incessant rain.
The opening match, involving John Kelly (St Margaret's) and unattached Padraic O'Rourke, had reached the seventh hole when called in while Jussi Pitkanen (Navan) and Peter Hanna (Fortwilliam), the ninth pairing, were ready on the first tee.
It was seven hours and 10 minutes later before the rain had relaxed enough to allow play to resume but, again, after 45 minutes, visibility on a number of holes halted the proceedings, then 18 minutes later out went the players again before drifting mist stopped the action for a final time at 6.47. That meant just three hours and 20 minutes of thrid round play took place with suspensions totally seven hours and 28 minutes.
Finally, it was decided that no more play was possible and the remainder of the third round was postponed.
"We will start again at 7.30 in the morning, weather permitting, and complete the third round. Then a new draw, according to scores, will be made for the last round with a two-tee start at 1.15 - the leaders off the first tee - and the last group should go out two hours later. We will do our best to complete a four round championship," said Irish Region secretary Michael McCumiskey.
Title favourite and tournament leader Padraig Harrington plus third-placed David Higgins head for Carnoustie on Sunday so two rounds of championship golf today is far from ideal preparation for The Open.