Harrison, New York, June 22: Heavy rain forced the suspension of the Buick Classic third round yesterday, with organisers hopeful the final two rounds can be completed today.
Briny Baird, one clear of the field overnight and chasing his first PGA tour title, had doubled his lead and was 11 under par after six holes when play was called off for the day. Skip Kendall was second at nine under, also after six holes, one stroke ahead of Tom Gillis, after eight, and Joey Sindelar, after seven. British Open champion Ernie Els was in a share of seventh at six under, after 11 holes, while world number one Tiger Woods was among a group of five tied for 15th at five under, after seven.
Players had teed off in threesomes from the first and 10th holes in a bid to beat the weather, but none managed to complete yesterday`s scheduled third round.

Rain forced the first delay at 0936 edt (1456 GMT), and there was a second halt shortly after 1300 (1800) before PGA tour officials abandoned play for the day at 1500 (2000).

No PGA tour event has been shortened to 54 holes since the 2000 Bellsouth Classic, won by Phil Mickelson in a playoff.

The tournament to be carried over into the monday was the 2001 players championship, won by Woods.

Bureau Report