Lightning Strikes Again

Lightning storms again struck the Titleist PGA Play-Offs in Turkey but a flash of inspiration helped defending champion Richard Wallis stay in a share of the lead.

The Walmer & Kingsdown pro, leader by one at the halfway stage after a second round 68, holed a sensational shot from a greenside bunker on the sixth hole of the third round to get to eight under and level with Ireland's David Higgins.

It was the last decisive act of the day at the top of the leaderboard with thunderstorms forcing play at Antalya Golf Club's PGA Sultan Course to be called off with the result that the £15,000 tournament has been reduced to 54 holes with the first day's play also being lost to weather.

Earlier in the day, Wallis had completed a second round 68 to lead by one from Waterville Links pro Higgins who couldn't muster the form of his first round 66 instead settling for a rollercoaster 70.

Wallis who pipped Higgins to the play-off title 12 months ago was pleased with how he wrapped up his second round and also his bunker shot.

"At the end of the second round I actually used my Bushnell to check out the leaderboard scores from the last green. I could see it would be useful to hole this and I duly holed a 12 footer for birdie to go one in front," he said.

"In the third round I made a soft bogey up the first but got a birdie with a good up and down on the third.

"On the sixth I tried to hit a soft cut four iron and hit the pin high trap. The pin was cut seven feet from the right but I played a flop shot out, the ball landed on top of the apron, dug its boots in and rolled in for a nice little birdie.

"It was timely because David had made an awesome eagle up three, birdied five and was standing over a 16 footer for birdie on six. I think when I holed it out the trap it made a little bit of a difference because he left it three foot short.

"The weather has been so unpredictable but in my mind I knew it might get reduced to 54 holes so I'm more than happy."

Higgins identified a par putt on 14 during his second round as his best shot of the day, going on to birdie three of the last four holes.

"I was all over the place in my second round, I could not find my rhythm," he said.

"I hit it in the water off the first and was either good or bad but I was proud of how I hung in there. I holed a great par putt on 14 when I was in danger of going three over for the round and then birdied three of the last four so I was pleased how I turned it round.

"It's a pity about the weather but that's the way it goes but it will be fun. It's obviously disappointing not to play 72 holes but I'm sure all the guys will make it an exciting finish tomorrow

"Richard pipped me last year so hopefully I can get him back this year."

Scottish pro Greig Hutcheon from Banchory Golf Club carded a second round 67 to keep his hopes of qualifying for the Great Britain & Ireland PGA Cup team very much alive.

"It's getting pretty frustrating, it's been a long week. We've had spells of golf where it's been golf all day and then spells sitting in the club house," he said.

"I was pleased with my 67. I by no means played perfectly, did some scrambling and had a couple of unlucky breaks but holed a nice 20 footer at the last for birdie so I left the course cheery.

"But this afternoon's round I've been hitting it a little bit left and right and haven't quite had it going where I've wanted to so am one over through six which is no disaster.

"I've got maybe 12 holes to play tomorrow and try and get as much out of it as I can because I really want a spot in the PGA Cup team.

"I play golf in Scotland, you get used to leaving the course through heavy rain or storms but it is difficult to get a rhythm, you start and stop and when the weather is fluctuating like this it's hard."

The top 10 finishers will qualify for the BMW PGA Championship with a number of European and Challenge Tour starts also available for the leading placed pros.