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The Scottish Open has been cut from 72 to 54 holes for the first time in its history after torrential rain prevented any play on Saturday at Castle Stuart near Inverness.
Half the 156-strong field were unable to complete their second rounds on Friday and conditions were so bad overnight that no members of the public were allowed entrance to the flooded car parks on Saturday morning.
Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell and Scots Peter Whiteford and Scott Jamieson were the overnight leaders on 11 under par, all three of them having finished their second rounds in bright sunshine by Friday lunchtime.
Among those affected by the stoppages were Luke Donald and Lee Westwood, involved in another battle for the world number one spot and both seven under with nine and seven holes to play respectively, and Colin Montgomerie, still in with a chance of claiming the one Open Championship spot up for grabs.
The shortening of the tournament was bad news for Montgomerie, though. On six under with nine to play and with a tricky chip coming up from beside the 10th green, he was in joint 25th place and needed to climb into the top five just to have a chance of playing next week.
For European Tour rookie Jamieson, on the other hand, it was good news. As well as boosting his hopes of a first victory on the circuit because he had only 18 more holes to play rather than 36, he too is not exempt for The Open yet.
