Rain-hit Scottish Open cut to 54 holes

The Scottish Open has been cut from 72 to 54 holes for the first time in its history after torrential rain prevented any play before 3pm at the earliest at Castle Stuart near Inverness today.

Half the 156-strong field were unable to complete their second rounds yesterday and conditions were so bad overnight that no members of the public were allowed entrance to the flooded car parks this morning.

Even if play was able to resume in mid-afternoon no crowd was going to be allowed on five holes – the first, second, 10th, 11th and 12th down by the Moray Firth – because of the state of the walkways.

Officials said play would not start until 5pm at the earliest.

*Update: Play now pushed back to 7pm*