Barns storms on as Tiger frustrated

IT will take Tiger Woods another four weeks at least before he can renew his bid for a 15th major championship and so narrow the gap on Jack Nicklaus at the top of the honours list to three.

Typical of the game’s greatest, the runaway pre-tournament favourite gave it everything he had over the past three weather spoiled days but it wasn’t enough and he will now turn his attentions to the Open Championship at Turnberry next month. The coveted title will instead likely go to a player of relatively modest pedigree unless, that is, Phil Mickelson takes advantage of two late birdies last night that got him up to two under par and within six of the lead held by the virtually unknown Ricky Barnes.

The USGA battled manfully to get the tournament finished on schedule but that was never really a runner once they lost all but three hours of playing time on Thursday. Their aspiration to complete 36 holes yesterday were dashed when overnight rain did further massive damage and the third round couldn’t recommence until noon.