AAP
Gale force winds forced the suspension of the Australian Open golf championship during the final round at The Lakes Golf Club on Sunday.
Gusts of up to 75 kilometres an hour - which led to the ball moving on some greens - left officials with little alternative but to stop play just before midday.
Tournament leader John Senden was yet to begin his final round and, barring an unlikely charge from other challengers, was set to begin with a two-stroke advantage over Englishman Justin Rose after play resumed.
Taking advantage of easier early morning conditions, golfing great Tom Watson signed off with a fine closing three-under-par 69 and predicted the mounting winds would make the title battle a lottery.
The eight-times major winner finished his campaign at five-over after rounds of 78-68-78-69 and suspected a 72-hole total of about three or four under par would be enough to win the Open.
"A good (round) score is even par," Watson said.
"It will be interesting to see what happens. It's a really strong wind."
Watson crashed out of contention with his 78 on Saturday, but his 69 was the best score from the early starters on Sunday.
He said it was nice to finish off in respectable fashion.
"Today I was a little bit more rested and I played half decent golf today," the American said.
"Of course we got the benefit of playing early with no wind and the golf course was there for the taking and I pretty much took it.
"When that little front came through, it certainly changed.
"I kind of struggled on the way in with the hard winds, but it felt a little bit better today.
"My body was in a little bit better shape than yesterday, with no sleep."
Chasing a second Open victory, Senden said he was relishing the prospect of a final-round duel with Rose, the world No.4 and top-ranked player in the field.
Senden was the Open's third-round leader for a second year running after posting a workmanlike 70 at the windswept venue on Saturday.
Last year, Senden was unable to convert his third-round lead, narrowly missing a snaking, 35-foot birdie putt on the last to fall by a shot to Greg Chalmers.
Along with Rose, Senden - the 2006 champion - had a swag of other players on his tail.
Matt Jones and veteran Peter Senior were both at four-under and three shots back, with 2001 champion Stuart Appleby, Cameron Percy and American Kyle Stanley sharing sixth spot at three-under.
Halfway leader Marcus Fraser and pre-tournament favourite Adam Scott were five back at two-under.
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