Golf: Rain halts play at BMW Open

Ernie Els of South Africa acknowledges the crowd on the 18th green during the second round of the BMW International Open at Golfclub Munchen Eichenried on June 21, 2013 in Munich, Germany. (Getty Images)

Heavy rain halted play Saturday in the third round of the European Tour’s BMW International Open.

Officials called a halt to play at 11:53am (1553 GMT) with only 36 of the 78 players who made Friday’s cut taking to the Munchen Eichenried course.

Early morning rain had already saturated the course while the additional downpour flooded teeing off areas.

South African and reigning British Open champion, Ernie Els takes a one shot lead in day three of the event.