Rain reduces SA Open final day to 17 holes

Durban: Heavy rain has forced organizers to take a hole out of play for the marathon final day of the European Tour's South African Open.

The downpour early Sunday left the green on the par-3 fourth waterlogged and players will play only 17 holes in their final two rounds at Durban Country Club — where the course has been reduced to a par-69.

Rain had already delayed the 100th version of the event.

The European Tour and South Africa's co-sanctioning Sunshine Tour said the unusual decision to eliminate a hole was not unprecedented, pointing to two occasions at the Dutch Open in the late 1960s when anti-apartheid protesters had dug up a green and the event was played over 17 holes.

Four-time winner Ernie Els has a two-shot lead over Retief Goosen going into the final day.