Tiring to play 36 holes in a day

It is going to be punishing final day for the leaders at the PGA Championship as they will need to play 36 holes as thunderstorms interrupted the third round at Baltusrol Golf Club.

Rain and delays are part of golf, but when it all gets bunched up at the weekend, it does get somewhat tiring and tense. Well, a Major is never won easily, no matter what!

As weather became dangerous, play stopped on Saturday and I believe about 10 players had not even a shot and only a little over third of the field had completed round three.

The pairings for the final round will be the same as Round 3, starting from the first tee. However, the forecast is for more rain and storms so don’t rule out of a Monday finish. I believe the same happened when it was at Baltusrol in 2005. Jimmy Walker and Robert Streb are ahead at nine-under with Jason Day and Emiliano Grillo breathing down their neck.

Defending champion Day at two behind leaders, Walker and Streb, is nicely placed to make a charge in the final 36 holes. I am sure he will probably be somewhat aggressive in the soft conditions as there will be more birdies to shoot for.

Streb has never been in such a position at a major and he will probably be playing by instinct.

At Baltusrol, the greens are always a challenge and when conditions are soft, players are going to go for it and get close and make birdies. You will find a lot of mid-irons landing the ball close, so don’t be surprised with some real scores.

One of the rounds that could be an indication was Francesco Molinari, who closed his third round with six birdies in a round of 68.

So, after a thriller at the Open at Royal Troon, here is one more in the pipeline at the Baltusrol and the stage is set for it.

Sadly, I will be out and watching from the sidelines, as I get ready to go to Rio next week in preparation for the Olympic Games. So, some disappointment, but something to look forward to – and the Olympic experience is something I have been waiting for quite some time of late.