Update: Play will continue at no earlier than 5pm on Saturday, as conditions failed to improve sufficiently for players to resume.
The R&A defended their decision to resume play this morning, after players were forced to cut short their second round as a result of adverse weather conditions.
Players returned to the course on Saturday morning to complete their second round, but high winds meant the course was unplayable.
42 two of those taking part in the 144th edition of The Open were forced off the Old Course three hours earlier than expected, heavy showers to blame for the early retirement.
"We spent an hour at the far end of the course, before play started, assessing whether the course was playable,” an R&A spokesman said.
“Balls were not moving on the greens and while the conditions were extremely difficult, we considered the golf course to be playable.
“Gusts of wind increased in speed by 10 to 15 per cent after play resumed. This could not be foreseen at the time that play was restarted and made a material difference to the playability of the golf course.
“We will make an announcement on when play is likely to restart in due course.”
Developments since the announcement early morning indicated that play would resume at 4pm on Saturday afternoon, with the prospect of playing the final round on Monday looking more and more likely.
These fears were confirmed and the tournament will finish on Monday evening, for only the second time in the history of the competition.
The conditions have been particularly grueling on more exposed parts of the course - in particular the 11th hole - and contenders Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Jordan Spieth all falling foul of the high winds.
The last time play was finished on a Monday was in 1988 when Seve Ballesteros won the last of his three Open crowns at Royal Lytham.
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