Weather keeps Day and leaders waiting at US PGA Championship

Simon Sinclair | July 31, 2016

Rain delay stops big guns in their tracks

Heavy rain in New Jersey prevented the leaders of the US PGA Championship from competing on day three of golf’s final Major of the year.

This meant frustration for Jimmy Walker and Robert Streb at the top of the leaderboard, as both men along with a host of other players were kept in the clubhouse due to the poor conditions.

Play has been rescheduled for an early start on Sunday, raising the possibility of an incredibly late finish at the Baltusrol Golf Club or even for the action to drag on into Monday.

However, some of the field were able to make inroads into the American duo’s lead at the top.

Kisner races through the field

Kevin Kisner had an underwhelming start to the tournament, recording a one-over round on the first day, but managed to battle to reach the final two rounds with a one-under display on Friday.

However, the 32-year-old made a charge on the third day of the tournament with the leaders made to wait by the weather.

The American enjoyed a good start to his round, notching birdies on the third and fourth, only to be immediately pegged back by bogeys on the sixth and seventh holes.

Kisner rounded back into form just before the turn with birdies on the eighth and ninth, and on the back nine he made his surge into contention with an error-free spell.

With three birdies on the bounce from the 15th to 17th, Kisner held his composure on the final hole to finish his round with a five-under 65, leaving him on the same score in the tournament in tied-sixth.

As a result of the conditions, Kisner is into 125/1 with Coral for US PGA glory, although the majority of the contenders are yet to complete their third round, so a more prudent bet could be a top 10 finish priced at 10/1.

Harrington rolls back the years

Three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington put himself into contention by producing a fine round at the Baltusrol Golf Club, turning back the clock.

The Irishman was at one-over after the first two days and well off the pace in challenging for his second US PGA crown, although he managed to remain in play despite not being at his best

However, Harrington was on song in his third round with an error-free display, including five birdies to produce a five-under card of 65. He moved to four-under in the competition in tied-10th place, five shots off the pace of the leaders.

The 44-year-old’s experience will stand him in good stead as the competition moves into a hectic state on Sunday. With a solid score already on the board, the Irishman will have time to weigh his options and adapt his tactics for his final round based on the success of the leaders.

Harrington has odds of 200/1 to notch his fourth Major, although it’s top 10 finish market that once again appeals at 11/2.

Day the favourite

Jason Day remains the 11/5 favourite to win the US PGA for the second year on the spin, despite being frustrated by the weather on Saturday.

He trails Walker and Streb at the top of the leaderboard by two strokes, but if Day can produce the form he showed on the back nine in his second round, the Australian will close the gap.

Streb produced the round of the tournament on Friday by firing a seven-under 63, but unfortunately for the American is still waiting to build upon his brilliant display.

His lack of Major experience could be his stumbling block, and this is a factor in the 11/1 price for Streb to be US PGA champion.

Walker finds himself in the same situation, finding his momentum crushed by the elements.

The 37-year-old does have Major experience, having finished in the top 10 in three competitions in 2014, but this is a different challenge entirely.

A 13/2 chance to walk away with his first Major, Walker is among the contenders, but there are certainly a lot of twists and turns remaining in the tournament.

Related

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