Only 35 minutes play has so far been possible today in the scheduled final round of the Algarve Open de Portugal at Vale do Lobo.
The tournament has already been reduced to 54 holes because of numerous interruptions to play caused by rain and high winds.
And the event could now be reduced to 36 holes with a sudden-death play-off between joint leaders Carl Pettersson and David Gilford (two under) to decide a winner.
The final round was scheduled to start at 8 a.m. this morning but was delayed several times until play started at 11 a.m.
However only 35 minutes play was possible before play was again suspended with balls moving on the exposed greens beside the Atlantic Ocean.
With the weather unlikely to improve, a play-off now looked the most likely outcome in a similar manner to that which decided the Celtic Manor Wales Open last year.
On that occasion Paul McGinley, Paul Lawrie and Daren Lee contested a play-off after the final 36 holes were washed out, McGinley winning on the fifth extra hole to effectively seal his Ryder Cup place.
A play-off would spell the end of Des Smyth’s challenge on the Algarve, the Drogheda golfer lying seven shots off the pace on five over par.