Rory McIlroy has his work cut out to capture his second Genesis Scottish Open title after playing just eight holes in three-over par before play was suspended for the day due to fog.
The Masters champion went into the third round in a three-way tie for the lead at the Renaissance Club.
But after a lingering sea haar eventually forced a two-and-a-half-hour delay, McIlroy did not get to tee it up until just after 6 pm.
He was a far different man to the player who opened with rounds of 65 and 66, dropping a shot at the par-three third, where he missed from around 18 inches for par.
Another shot went at the 170-yard fifth, where he admitted he "fatted" his tee shot just 125 yards.
He dropped another shot at the par-five seventh, driving into heavy rough from where he could only hack his second a few yards forward into more long grass.
"It's like going back to the golf club after dinner basically," McIlroy said before his round. "It's been a long day, the fog didn't help.
"But these long summer nights, hopefully we can get it in and there's no carry over going into tomorrow."
He didn't get his wish, and he was tied for 25th on six-under through eight holes when play was suspended for the day, four strokes behind clubhouse leader Johnny Keefer of the United States, who shot 64 to lead on 10-under.
Michael Thorbjornsen (13 holes) and Matt Fitzpatrick (eight holes) were tied for the lead on 11-under, a shot clear of a six-man chasing pack featuring Keefer, Kevin Roy (16 holes), US Open champion Wyndham Clark (15), Jordan Smith (7), Min Woo Lee (8) and defending champion Chris Gotterup (10).
"I loved it," Clark said. "It was nice. It's hot back in the States. So overcast and minimal wind, sweater weather is always good to play golf in."
Tom McKibbin shot a three-under 67 to share 32nd on five-under with Jon Rahm a shot further back after a 68.
On the HotelPlanner Tour, Lars van der Vight will take a three-stroke lead into the final day of the German Challenge after battling to a level-par round of 72 at Wittelsbacher Golfclub in Bavaria.
Ronan Mullarney shot 69 to share 30th on six-under, nine shots off the lead, with Mark Power 48th on four-under after a 71.
Article Link: McIlroy loses his way in the fog - News - Irish Golf Desk