Day two of the Hauts de France-Pas de Calais Golf Open suffered the wrath of the French weather as the morning groups kicked off into the teeth of the cold wind and rain. Less than four hours of golf were played before the course was deemed unplayable by officials at 12.05 and the sodden players on course were called ashore.
After several attempts to resume the action, the Tournament Director finally pulled the plug at 16.00 and play was suspended for the day. As a result, the event has been shortened to 36-holes with no cut, while prize funds and ranking points will be unaffected. With half the field yet to start their second round, those on course already will begin their day at 8.15am on Saturday while today’s afternoon swing will be moved to 9.20am local time.
Robert Moran and Paul McBride were two of those unfortunate enough to have had to brave the elements going out in the early matches and the conditions were reflected in their struggles on the scorecard.
McBride was first out and managed to get 15-holes under his belt before time was called on his round. Starting from the first into the heart of the inclement weather, an opening par was followed by back-to-back bogeys. This would set the tone for what the field was facing in the morning three-balls. Four pars came next to settle the nerves before grabbing one back with birdie on the par-four eighth. Another bogey on the 12th came followed by two doubles on the bounce as his day was cut short. He sits plus nine with three to play on Saturday morning. If only he had the afternoon draw how different his tournament could have been.
Moran too will be left lamenting his morning draw as he, starting shortly after McBride, was two-over through 10 holes when his round was halted. He too had a pair of early bogeys on the two par-3s, the second and the fourth holes. He also managed to gain a stroke back on the eighth before handing it immediately back on the ninth to turn on two-over. Moran had just parred the 10th when the hooter sounded so has eight holes on Saturday to make amends and attempt a charge. He sits on ten-over for the week so far. All eyes will be on the weather tomorrow morning with many having to spend the day with a watching brief to learn their fate, as the latter groups filter around.
As it stands the lead remains at three-under-par and is shared by a group of six with the French duo of Benjamin Kedochim and Paul Elissalde joining the fun at the top. Kedochim was going about his business impressively, three-under through eight in a display of contempt towards the inclement weather. Cabezuela and Kewalramani dropped one off the lead while a group of five sit one further back one one-under.
Saturday will be intriguing with many of the runners and riders at various points through their (now) final rounds with half the field still to begin theirs. Still a lot to play for in Saint-Omer on a soggy Alps Tour in France.