Rain interrupts Day's charge

Glen Day was on the brink of becoming only the fourth player in PGA Tour history to shoot under 60 when a two-hour rain delay halted his charge and he had to settle for a nine-under-par 62 that left him three strokes behind Adam Scott at the Booz Allen Classic in Maryland.

“Obviously, I played really good,” Day said. “I hit a lot of good shots. I got lucky on the sixth hole (his 15th), and then we got the delay.

“I would have enjoyed the last three holes without a delay.”

Day holed his wedge shot at the sixth hole for an eagle that put him at 12 under for the tournament and 10 under for the day.

He needed to birdie two of his last three holes for a 59 but was halted for two hours by heavy rain.

When he resumed, Day salvaged par on the seventh hole after he had hit his tee shot into the right rough as the alarm sounded to halt play.

Day, who had missed eight of 15 cuts this season, bogeyed his 17th to fall back to nine under and then parred the 18th.

“It wasn’t until I got to the locker room during the delay that I found out I was 10 under,” he admitted. “I didn’t have a clue.

“I was playing shot by shot, one at a time, and thinking about my swing. I was just happy I was in a good frame of mind and working the way I was supposed to.”

Australian Scott had carded a 62 earlier in the day before the downpour to move into first place on 14 under at 128.

“I got off to a good start,” Scott said. “I think I hit every green today and missed just one yesterday, so I’ve not been in too much trouble and I’ve made my share of putts.”

Scott shot 31s on the front and back nines, with nine birdies and no bogeys at the TPC at Avenel.

First-round leader Charles Howell 111 shot a two-under 69 to drop back into a tie for second with Olin Browne at 12 under on 130, while Rich Beem shares fourth place with Day.

Former Open champion Tom Lehman added a 67 to his opening 66 and was alone in sixth place on 133.

Defending champion Rory Sabbatini of South Africa posted his second consecutive 67 and was tied with Bill Haas and Aaron Oberholser for seventh place on 134.

Haas, the son of PGA Tour member Jay Haas, is making his professional debut.