OHIO OPEN Cunningham leads rain-shortened event

He has a chance to win the Ohio Open after 36 holes without teeing up again.
CANTON (AP) -- Glenn Cunningham shot a 6-under-par 64 to move into position to win the Ohio Open without teeing up again.
Cunningham registered a two-round total of 9-under 131 Tuesday, a few moments before a severe thunderstorm chased the rest of the field from the Tam O'Shanter Golf Course, left it not playable, and caused officials to shorten the event from 54 holes to 36.
Play will resume this morning with more than two-thirds of the original field of 267 on the course or waiting to start their second and what is now final round.
"It is regrettable, but we must cut the tournament from 54 holes to 36," said Dominic Antenucci, executive director of the event. "The course is simply un-playable right now."
Before the storm
Eighty players finished the second round before the storm, including Cunningham, of Solon, who shot a 4-under 31 on his front nine over the 6,362-yard, par-70 Hills Course. He had a 2-under 33 on his back nine.
"I definitely got lucky with my tee times the past two days," Cunningham said. "Both days, I avoided the rain.
"I'll be there Wednesday, no matter what. I guess it will be pretty nerve-racking sitting around. In one way, I like sitting in the clubhouse with the lead. In another way, I will miss the competition."
Jeff Olson, of Powell, a 24-year-old who played three years at Ohio State, also shot a 6-under 64 to move into what he thought was contention at 7-under 133, tied with Jack Steinecke of Pickerington, who shot a second-round 66.
"Winning would be great, I'm geared up for that final round," Olson said after his early morning round.
No chance to win
Neither he nor Steinecke have a chance to win now, however.
Two greens were under water, and casual water filled some bunkers and stretched across many fairways.
The National Weather Service said there was a 70 percent chance of more rain today for the Canton region.
First-round leader Davey Snyder of Ashland said he was disappointed, but understood that tournament officials had no other option.
"From my point of view, I hope it rains all week," said Snyder, who had a first-round 65. "Seriously, it is too bad it won't go 54 holes because I like to see every tournament played to completion.
"I was looking forward to going out there and see what I could today. I was feeling good and wanted to see if what I did Monday would carry over.
"I guess I'm just thankful that I didn't start my round yet and have to be in the middle of it and go through all of that early tomorrow morning."
Last time was 1981
The last time the Ohio Open was shortened to 36 holes by inclement weather was 1981, when Kim Boehlke was the winner.
Players who were scheduled to begin play on Tuesday afternoon are to start their final rounds today, four hours before their original tee time. Weather permitting, of course.