{{ubiquityData.prevArticle.description}}
{{ubiquityData.nextArticle.description}}
TheOpen.com’s series on the toughest weather experienced at the Championship began with a look back at the diabolical conditions on Day 3 at Muirfield in 2002.
Yet a similarly demanding battle against the elements took place at the same venue 15 years earlier as a fierce storm engulfed the course during Round 3 of The 116th Open.
A scoring average of 75.87 on Saturday highlighted the tremendous challenge facing a field headed by a debutant in Paul Azinger.
Here is a look back on how a difficult day in Gullane unfolded.
In 2002 several players were able to complete their third rounds before the worst of the weather rolled in, but that was certainly not the case in 1987.
The morning starters were greeted by abysmal conditions, as strong winds and heavy rain battered Muirfield, making low scoring virtually impossible.
The rain and wind eventually eased up somewhat, ensuring the leading groups had more opportunities to make birdies in the afternoon.
Nevertheless, not a single player was able to record a score in the 60s on the par-71 layout. David Frost, José María Olazábal, Ken Brown and Raymond Floyd each posted 1-under scores of 70 – the best of the day.
To read more about Muirfield 1987 and a tremendous performance by Sandy Lyle, visit https://www.theopen.com/Latest/Toughest-Weather-Muirfield-1987.
The R&A