The WGC – CA Championship will, for the first time in the ten year history of the World Golf Championships, finish on a Monday after another frustrating day of weather delays at the Doral Golf Resort and Spa.
Despite the exasperating conditions, the leaders ensured that the Monday finish will be make compelling viewing.
Geoff Ogilvy remains at the top of the pile, 17 under par through nine holes, but with the likes of Jim Furyk and Vijay Singh on 15 under, and Retief Goosen and Graeme Storm on 14 under and chipping away at Ogilvy’s lead, the Australian is going to have to perform to the best of his ability to close out a victory.
The tournament is certainly set for an enthralling finish, with Ogilvy making his first bogey of the tournament on his 61st hole and Major champions of the calibre of Furyk, Goosen and Singh on his tail, waiting to pounce on any slip ups.
He may not have a Major title under his belt, but Storm, the leading European in the field, is holding his own amongst the world’s best and certainly cannot be discounted.
Another man who cannot be written off just yet is Tiger Woods. Like the weather delays that wreaked havoc upon Sunday’s play, the World Number One had an exasperating day at the office, but he cannot be ruled out of the running when he still 12 under par with seven holes to play.
After finishing off the third round on Sunday morning, the leading groups had barely started their fourth rounds when officials were left with no choice but to suspend play due to lightning activity in and around the Miami area.
After an hour’s delay, the players were instructed that they could warm up in anticipation of re-starting, but, just as they began to make their way back onto the course, they were informed that more storms were developing and forced to wait another hour and a half before resuming their fourth rounds.
When they did get underway, they produced the kind of golf that has been the hallmark of this event. There was lots of quality under pressure, complimented by dramatic twists and turns.
There is sure to be more of the same when they return to finish what they started on Monday morning at 08:30 local time.
