Rory McIlroy faces the daunting prospect of playing more than 27 holes in a single day as the Scottish Open suffers significant delays due to dense fog. The adverse weather forced tee times to be pushed back, with multiple golfers unable to complete the front nine, reports BritPanorama.
A second wave of fog prompted officials to sound the claxon, halting play for an extended period and leading to a lengthy schedule for competitors on Sunday. The third round is now set to begin at 7am, with the fourth round not expected to commence before 10:15am.
Players will navigate the course in threesomes from a single tee, compounding the already challenging conditions. Many competitors, including Matt Fitzpatrick, currently tied for the lead, have only completed a few holes. McIlroy, struggling with his score, is also only through eight holes, currently three over par.
Jordan Smith, another golfer in the field, was preparing to tee off when the alert was issued. Fortunately, he had time for one last practice swing before play was suspended, allowing him to return to the tee box the following day.
The weekend saw the absence of Scottie Scheffler, who missed a cut for the first time in 78 competitions after posting a two-over-par 72 in the second round, thereby ending his tournament on level par with the cut mark established at two under.
Reflecting on his performance, Scheffler stated, “It felt like nothing was going right. I didn’t really feel like I played that bad. This golf course can be just tough at times,” highlighting the inherent difficulties of the Renaissance Club.
As the competition unfolds, players and fans alike await the resumption of play, where the tension of competing under such unusual circumstances may have implications for the tournament’s outcome. Indeed, the interplay of skill and endurance will be crucial, showcasing how even seasoned professionals can find themselves at the mercy of the elements.
