Play halted as Woods starts to fire in NZ Open

Torrential rain forced a halt to the third round of the New Zealand Open on Saturday but not before world number one Tiger Woods started to show some form.

In stark contrast to the first two days the rain deluged the course, turning large parts of it into lakes, and forcing officials to sweep puddles off the greens before players putted.

Eight shots off the pace overnight, Woods teed-off early and began showing glimpses of his class to drag himself closer to the leaders.

The world number one began the day at one-over on 143 and suffered a nightmare start with a double-bogey six on the par-four first after getting caught up in the rough.

That dropped him to three-over and 10 shots off the lead, but he bounced back with two birdies in three holes, before an eagle on the short par-four sixth put him back under par.

Another birdie on the eigth saw him reach three-under for the day and two-under for the tournament when play was suspended.

The persistent heavy rain took the sting out of the course, especially the lumpy, unpredictable greens which had taken their toll on Woods and others the previous two days.

Officials said they were hoping the rain would ease to allow play to resume.

"We're led to believe the weather is going to improve dramatically...we just need this rain to stop for us," Australasian PGA Tour operations director, Trevor Herdern said.

A resumption of play would see the leaders, who tee off last finishing in the late evening light around 8.15 p.m. (0715 GMT).

However, if necessary and weather permitting, the third round would be completed on Sunday morning, and the fourth round rescheduled for the afternoon, Herden said.

Others to have a good showing before rains came were U.S.-based New Zealander Craig Perks, who was three-under for the round and the tournament after seven holes, Australians David Podlich and Brendan Jones, and New Zealand amateur Brad Heaven who were all two-under midway through their rounds.

Co-leaders James McLean and Stephen Leaney both of Australia were among the quarter of the field that had yet to tee off.

Korean born teenager Jae An was one of a handful of players to complete their third rounds, carding a par 71 for a total of 216, three over par.

The 13 year old, who now lives in New Zealand, is believed to be the youngest male ever to play in an open professional tournament.

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