LEMONT, Ill., July 4 (UPI) -- David Gossett shot a 7-under 65 early in the day and that held up through a long and wet afternoon Thursday for a one-shot lead in the weather-delayed Western Open.
Just before play was suspended by darkness, Bob Estes was able to birdie the final hole of the Cog Hill course to get within one shot of Gossett while Jonathan Byrd, John Cook, Scott Verplank and Davis Love III all were at 5-under 67.
Also at 5-under were Jerry Kelly and Joe Durant, both of whom had three holes left to play when play was stopped. There were 50 players on the course when the siren sounded.
A heavy afternoon thunderstorm forced a suspension of play just as the final groups were beginning their round. Action resumed three hours and 20 minutes later.
Also stranded on the course were Vijay Singh and David Toms, who were 4-under with two holes left to play.
This was to have been the final British Open tune-up for Tiger Woods, but he withdrew earlier in the week due to flu-like symptoms.
The 1999 U.S. Amateur champion, Gossett took advantage of ideal scoring conditions during his morning round, offsetting two bogeys with nine birdies, including seven in an 11-hole span.
"It was a great start to my first Western Open today," said the 23-year-old Gossett, who wore red, white and blue on Independence Day. "I had an exciting round."
