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It’s 10:30 a.m. in Hutchinson and the team is back at the hotel resting, hoping to get back out on the course later this afternoon to try and play a third round. However, there is a problem.

At 10:03 a.m. this morning, the horn sounded and play was suspended due to lightning. It is also raining in the area, but the lightning is the main issue. It was going to be tight to try and finish 54 holes and the individuals by sunset on Monday night. Finishing 54 holes by sundown today is basically lost.

If the NCAA Committee believes that finishing 54 holes is not feasible, they can make a 36 hole cut, so that only the top 15 teams will complete 54 holes. Or, in an even more severe case, finish the 36 holes and cut to the eight teams that will advance to match play. Either way would signal the end of the season for the Hokies.

The other variable that is in play right now is the fact that Trevor Cone is currently tied for 63^rd place. The top 40 and ties will play Monday for the NCAA individual championship. Although there is a lot of ground to be made up, if the teams still trying to finish their 36 holes see bad weather and the scores go up, Trevor could conceivably get into that group. As of the suspension of play today, the players at even-par are tied for 38^th and Trevor is in the clubhouse (or more precisely in the hotel) at two-over-par. Not that big of a gap.

This is a new format for the NCAA Championships. The individual champion has always been decided as of the end of stroke play. This is the first year of the top 40 and ties playing one more round and with the weather issues, there is a bit of flying by the seat of your pants for the committee. Not an enviable position to be in.

So, the team will wait around the hotel for the NCAA Committee to let them know if and when they return to the course. And then, whether or not Trevor will get a Monday tee time. We’ll let you know as soon as we know.

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