Colin Montgomerie has called on Barclays Scottish Open officials to reconsider an earlier decision and play the seriously rain affected event over the full 72 holes.
Persistent heavy rain in the Inverness region of northern Scotland has caused localised flooding, and forcing the closure of sections of the main A9 motorway.
Colin 'I'm not the story' Montgomerie saying the event should be played out over the full 72 holes. (Photo - Stuart Adams).
At Castle Stuart, spectators have been kept away as greens staff work on flooded fairways and bunkers.
Sections of the embankment along the side of the first and 12th holes were carried by the storms onto the fairways.
Tour officials had first intended to resume the delayed second round at 7am local time but at 12 noon that was put back to 3pm.
However with rain continuing to fall, officials put back the start to 4pm and then 5pm.
But at 4.10pm local time, and with more rain headed for the course, officials put back the start time to 7pm.
Also the rain delays, officials decided to reduce the event to 54-holes, and the first in the history of the Scottish Open.
When play eventually restarts, Montgomerie will be playing out of a hazard at the 10th hole and on six under par, five behind the leading trio of Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell and the Scottish duo of Scott Jamieson and Peter Whiteford, each at 11-under par.
The trio had completed their rounds near lunch on Friday.
However Monty, who is not qualified for next week’s British Open, believes the prestige of the event, and the fact that players are competing for a £500,000 (Euro 550,250) first prize cheque, the event should be played out over 72 holes.
“We should be playing all 72 holes that would still allow those competing in The Open time to get down to the Open Championship on Monday afternoon or Monday night,” said
“Obviously, the Tour has been in touch with Barclays and they’ve okayed reducing the event to 54 holes.
“But you would think if during Masters week an event can go into a Monday, then The Open can do it, and I would like to see this event played over 72 holes.
“So there is no doubt this should be 72 holes.”
Monty was referring to the 2005 BellSouth Classic in Atlanta that went into a Monday finish with Phil Mickelson winning the former PGA Tour event.
Of course, playing the event over 72 holes will boost Monty’s hope of continuing an unbroken run of 22 Open appearances since making his debut in golf’s oldest Major in 1990.
But on the other hand, compatriot Jamieson also is not exempt into The Open and in sharing the lead, Jamieson stands a better chance of snaring the last place into Royal St. George’s if the Tour sticks with the decision of 54 holes.
“I need 72 holes if I am going to get into The Open,” said Monty.
“The scoring, as everyone could see, was fantastic before the delay.
“So it’s going to make a big difference going to 54 holes and those like me, who have finished their second rounds, have been hurt by this decision.
“But those guys in the clubhouse and leading at 11-under par are laughing. They’d be having a big, big laugh at us.
”I would be too, if I was one of them.”
However a senior Barlcays official said: “I thnik we made the right decision this morning in reducing the event to 54-holes, and besides we really can’t go changing our minds as many involved would have already changed their travel plans accordingly.”
And World No. 2 Lee Westwood joined the debate to play 54 holes is the right move.
“At least everybody tomorrow will know that it’s the final round,” said Westwood.
“It’s not like it’s going to be 54 holes and then cut off and whoever is leading wins.
“So whoever play tomorrow’s final round will be playing under pressure knowing that it is in effect the last round.
“You will have to take a lot of things into account. But it’s a unique and exceptional experience what’s been happening up here today.
“I haven’t seen weather like this since we played in Singapore and Jakarta.”
In fact, Westwood was correct in that last year’s Barclays Singapore Open went through to a Monday finish with Australia’s Adam Scott winning the event for third time.”
