WRAP:
Chief executive Peter Dawson said no blame could be laid at the feet of the R&A for the 10-and-a-half hour delay that has pushed The Open into a Monday finish.
Balls rolled off greens, players fumed and general chaos ensued before Dustin Johnson – an early victim of savage winds – returned to regain the halfway lead at 10 under as conditions calmed dramatically.
He leads Britain's Danny Willett by one and Scot Paul Lawrie by two, with Australia’s top-ranked hopes Adam Scott and Jason Day three back in a group of six at seven under.
A remarkable 11 Aussies of the 15 who started made the cut at even par or better – including four in the top 14 with Steve Bowditch and Geoff Ogilvy at five under.
But the talking point was the weather – and the way it was handled.
After a three-plus hour rain delay on Friday, the R&A had hoped its second round would be completed early on Saturday so it could regain lost time in the third round.
But winds that gusted to 67km/h in the first 32 minutes of play today forced the organiser’s hand into one of the longest non-rain delays in Open history.
The third round will be played tomorrow, weather permitting, with the full final round on Monday, ensuring a late finish for the first time since Seve Ballesteros saluted in 1988.
Balls began rolling on greens and the 11th was almost unplayable as players delayed their putts in the hope of a suspension that finally came at 7.32am.
But for some, including Americans Jordan Spieth and Brooks Koepka – who both made the cut – the incident was badly mishandled with conditions too poor before play began.
“When we got out on the range until we were suspended it didn’t seem the wind changed at all,” Australian Open champion Spieth said.
“Even putting on the practice green, the ball wasn’t at rest. If they felt like there wasn’t a problem then it was just unlucky, but from my point of view it didn’t seem playable.”
Said Koepka, even more bluntly: “I’m mad we started in the first place.
“I was told I needed to play on and you’ve got to do what they tell you to do or you’re disqualified. I don’t have a problem if it’s breezy, but when it gets out of control like that it’s not fair.
“The official in our group told me it was only me that was having the problem, but I don’t really care about everyone else; it was the most exposed part of the golf course and the ball is not staying on the green.”
Dawson said changing circumstances were responsible.
“Clearly, with the benefit of hindsight, it would have been better if play hadn’t started, but the decision was taken based on the evidence at the time,” he said.
“I supported it fully, was an integral part of it and I believe it was the right decision given the facts at the time we took it.
“What had happened, and the wind readings show it, is that the wind speeds after 7am increased by about six miles an hour over what we had been experiencing prior to the start of play, and that was enough to tip it over the edge.”
The third round will be played on Sunday, with play to resume at 8.15am Scottish time and the last pairing out at 3pm.
Dawson said he hoped for a 6.30pm final round finish on Monday evening.