The Ballantine’s Championship has been reduced to three rounds (54 holes) following the fog disruption to the first round on Thursday when six hours 40 minutes of play was lost.
Tournament Directors John Paramor and Jitti Tamprasert made the decision at 9.15am local time on Friday morning in order to ensure there is a finish on Sunday evening.
As a result the afternoon section of the first round draw will attempt to play 36 holes on Friday, completing their opening 18 holes and then starting their second round at 12.15pm local time. It is anticipated that the majority of these players will complete all 36 holes on Friday.
The morning section of the first round draw will then play their second round on Saturday, starting at 9.30am local time.
After all players have completed their second round, scheduled to be 16.00-16.30pm local time on Saturday, a cut will be made to the leading 65 professionals and tied (amateur qualifiers will be in addition). Those players will the contest the third and final round on Sunday.
John Paramor and Jitti Tampraset said: “Following the delays to the first round on Thursday, and after reviewing the amount of golf completed yesterday, it has become clear that the completion of 72 holes within the required time frame is not feasible. Therefore the 2010 Ballantine’s Championship will be decided over three rounds (54 holes).”
