BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — What already promised to be a grueling week at the U.S. Junior Amateur just got a little more so.

Thunderstorms halted Tuesday’s second round of play at Shoal Creek, pushing the remainder of the second round of stroke play to 8 a.m. Wednesday.

Memorial High School junior and defending tournament champion Cory Whitsett was 1-over par on the day through four holes when play was suspended at 2:47 p.m. CDT. At 5:15 p.m., play was officially called for the day.

That put Whitsett, who shot 3-under 69 Monday, at 2-under for the tournament. That left him six shots behind first-round leader Jorge Fernandez Valdes, 15, of Argentina, who was 1-under through eight holes. Whitsett trailed by three shots after the first round.

Following the second round of stroke play the low 64 scorers will advance to match play, which begins later Wednesday. The 36-hole final match is scheduled for Saturday.

The only other local player who appears to be in contention to make the cut is Cy-Fair’s Jordan Rumora, who was 1-under through seven holes. He is two shots shy of 64th place, which currently is 6-over par.

Katy Taylor’s Kevin Vanden Heuvel shot 8-over 80 Tuesday and sits at 9-over 153. Strake Jesuit’s Nicko Dodd shot 6-over 78 Tuesday and is at 11-over 155.

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