Justin Rose and his fellow US PGA Championship contenders could face another rain-interrupted day on Saturday with thunderstorms and gusting winds forecast during the third round at Oakland Hills Country Club.
Rose goes into the third round just one shot off the lead in the final Major of the year following a second round, three under par 67 that moved him to level par for the tournament alongside Americans Ben Curtis and Charlie Wi with JB Holmes the man to beat at one under.
The Englishman is due to tee off in the second from last pairing with 2003 Open Champion Curtis at 1930BST with the forecast issued by tournament officials predicting numerous showers and thunderstorms across the region and gusting winds of 20 to 25 miles per hour.
Play was suspended for 85 minutes late on Thursday as the opening round came to a temporary halt due to rain and the threat of lightning.
The third round got under way under mostly sunny skies on Saturday morning with very little movement up the leaderboard from the early-starting back markers.
With the cut coming last night at eight over par, 73 golfers remain in the championship.
Paul Casey, though, insisted last night that anyone surviving the cut had a chance at victory.
Casey, seven strokes off the halfway lead, believes the severity of the par 70, 7,395 yard course and the forecast gusting winds leave the contest wide open.
“I honestly think anyone making the cut right now has still got a chance,” Casey said following his second round, four over par 74 that left him at six over for the tournament heading into the weekend.
“Those going out in the morning with the better greens can post a number and there is no reason why they can’t get close to the lead.
“I was close to the cut at The Open and finished tied for seventh. I don’t see why you can’t do the same here.
“The guys at the top know how tough it can be and while they have played great golf to get there, they need to play well to stay at the top.”
