Lightning and thunder showers, accompanied by intermittent rain, led to the third round's play on Saturday being abandoned in the Hero Golf Chandigarh Open 2003, at the par-72, Chandigarh Golf Club.

The tournament will now be a 54-hole affair provided play is possible on Sunday.  Tee timings and groups for the final round will remain the same as that for the third round.

The event is the 24th and season-ending leg of the 2002-03 Hero Honda Golf Tour season.

Reports from the MET office predicted rain for the next two days. In case play is possible for nine holes tomorrow and every single player completes as many holes, the tournament will be decided over 45 holes. Otherwise, with a certain amount of play possible, the maximum number of holes every single pro has played totaled with the 36 holes that have already been completed will determine the tournament results. Failing either possibility, the tournament will be decided over 36 holes.

"This is the first occasion in the history of the Tour that we have had to abandon play without a single group being able to finish their round and the leaders not even completing their opening hole," said Sampath Chari, Exec. Tournament Director, PGAI.

"We had two half hour breaks today in the hope that the weather would settle down but with persistent lightning there was little choice but to call play off," he added.

As things stand now, local professional Harmeet Kahlon leads the field with a two-round aggregate of eight-under 136. Kahlon, who had rounds of three-under 69 and five-under 67 on the first two days, is followed in second position by fellow Chandigarh golfer Amandeep Johl at six-under 138.

Lucknow's Vijay Kumar occupies the third position at three-under 141.

The cut was applied after round two at seven-over 151.  A total of 50 professionals made it to the deciding rounds.

Scores (after 36 holes): 136_Harmeet Kahlon(69,67); 138_Amandeep Johl(70,68); 141_Vijay Kumar(73,68), Ajay Gupta(71,70), Bhoop Singh(70,71); 142_Gaurav Ghei(74,68), Mohd. Salim(72,70), Rafiq Ali(73,69), Jaiveer  Virk(70,72), Amritinder Singh(67,75); 143_Mohd. Islam(72,71), Arjun Singh(69,74).

Amateurs: 148_Girish Virk(75,71), Jaskirat Dullet(75,71); 148_Ajitesh Sandhu(74,74), Anitya Chand(74,74).