Lahiri T42 in rain-hit Zurich Classic

Avondale (USA), May 2

Star Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri completed six more holes, striking birdies on the last two, in his third round before play was called off on Sunday in the weather-hit Zurich Classic, which has been reduced to 54 holes.

After torrential rain halted play on Sunday, tournament officials shortened the event to 54 holes and extended it to a Monday finish. But there’s a possibility that inclement weather could cause further delays on Monday.

Lahiri was five-under for 46 holes and is currently T42 — a jump of eight places from his T50 after two rounds. The world No. 53 Indian was three-under at the end of the second round and needs a high finish in the tournament to get into the top-50 of the world rankings to earn a berth in the Players Championships, which begins on May 12.

Lahiri has seen action in spurts — he played six holes on the first day, 30 on the second, two on Saturday and another six on Sunday.

Vegas, Stuard lead

Jhonattan Vegas birdied two of five holes he was able to play in the rain-delayed third round, giving him a share of the lead with Brian Stuard. Vegas made birdie putts from beyond seven feet on the first two holes to reach 13-under, then parred three in a row before steady rain, accompanied by intermittent thunder, forced the organisers to clear the water-logged TPC Louisiana course after little more than two hours of play.

Stuard, who has not made a bogey in the tournament, had one birdie on Sunday. Like Vegas, he’ll resume play on the sixth hole. Top-ranked Jason Day was in a five-way tie for fifth at 10-under through 44 holes.

Rain had delayed play on Thursday and Saturday and is forecast for Monday as well.

The Zurich Classic became the first PGA Tour event to be shortened to 54 holes since the 2013 Hyundai Tournament of Champions at Kapalua. The last Monday finish was the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in early February. — PTI