Associated Press
Sunday, July 30

SILVIS, Ill. -- Michael Clark II held a one-stroke lead in the final round of the John Deere Classic when foul weather forced players off the course for good Sunday, leaving the tournament up for grabs for one more day.

	There were more rain and lightning delays than golf on Sunday.

Uncompleted rounds for 27 players were scheduled to begin Monday at 9:30 a.m. ET.

Clark finished nine holes at 17-under with half the course still to play. A 10-foot birdie putts awaits him on the 10th green when play resumes.

"You always dream of having the lead Sunday night, just not in this situation," he said.

The only leader who finished the round was Steve Lowery, who carded an 8-under 63 for an overall final score of 16-under 268.

Tied with Lowery was Kirk Triplett, who led the field going into Sunday but was 2-over after nine holes.

"I was playing crummy today. I had no momentum," Triplett said. "I see this as a blessing. I get a fresh start tomorrow."

PGA officials said 46 players completed their final rounds, leaving 27 on the course -- including almost all the leaders. The final pairing, Triplett and David Frost, will start on the 10th tee Monday.

Play was interrupted twice Sunday for more than three hours in total. Players stayed on the course for just 17 minutes after the second delay, then were chased into the clubhouse for good by thunder and heavy rain.

"We really never played golf for more than about an hour at a time," Triplett said.

Play was called at 5:55 p.m. Tournament officials said spectators would be offered free entry Monday.

Arvin Ginn, the PGA tournament director, said the Monday forecast again calls for fair weather in the morning and foul weather in the afternoon. But he thought there would be enough time to complete the round.

He said ground crews would begin working on the TPC at Deere Run at 4 a.m. to get it into the best shape possible.

"We must continue playing the ball as it lies because we started the round that way and we need to end it that way," he said.

Intermittent rain was falling when Triplett began his round, and he said that made the course play different than it had in the previous two days.

Under heavy rain, puddles formed in low-lying areas of some fairways Sunday evening.

"They say the course drains pretty well," Clark said. "I guess we'll just have to wait and see."