Barnes leads rain-affected US Open

The 2009 US Open appears unlikely to finish on schedule after rain once again put a stop to play at Bethpage Park on Saturday afternoon.

The downpour left Ricky Barnes ahead of the field on 8 under, but yet to tee off his third round. Second placed Lucas Glover and third placed Mike Weir were also absent from the greens on Saturday.

The disruptions to play mean that tournament organizers will have to squeeze two full rounds of golf into play on Sunday, and with the weather forecast looking dismal there is a good chance the 2009 US Open will only conclude on Monday.

Tiger Woods played only one hole on Saturday, scoring par on the first, before the rain came down. The defending champion is now lurking 11 shots off the pace set by Barnes, and would need to put in the performance of a lifetime to walk away with the title.

Barnes, meanwhile, was overjoyed to be leading the world’s toughest golf tournament after years of struggle on the PGA Tour.

"It's been humbling for me over the last four or five years and got me ready to play here," Barnes said. "I've grown up. I've learned to be a bit more patient after switching teachers two years ago and its paid dividends."