BMW PGA Championship to resume on Saturday as 54-hole event

The BMW PGA Championship will resume on Saturday following the postponement of play after the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Shane Lowry was just two shots off joint leaders Tommy Fleetwood, Andy Sullivan and Viktor Hovland shared the clubhouse lead on six under par when play was suspended.

Rory McIlroy was a further two back, after the opening round which was suspended following the death of the queen, with 30 players on the course.

The course and practice facilities were closed on Friday, but play will restart at 6.40am on Saturday with the tournament reduced to 54 holes. A two-minute period of silence will also be held at 9.50am on Saturday.

The DP World Tour said in a statement: "The decision to restart on Saturday has been taken in accordance with Official National Mourning guidance and in consultation with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

"The second round of the BMW PGA Championship will resume at 6.40am on Saturday morning and all original second-round tee times will remain the same.

"Those players who are yet to complete their first round will do so from 7.30am onwards from the place on the golf course where they stopped on Thursday afternoon.

"The Rolex Series event will now be contested over 54 holes with the intention to finish on Sunday as scheduled.

"It is not possible to play the full 72 holes and finish on Monday as we cannot guarantee the staff, facilities or security of the venue on Monday due to the ongoing plans for the state funeral.

"Across the weekend at Wentworth, black ribbons will be made available for people to wear and flags will continue to fly at half-mast.

"In addition, there will be a two-minute silence at 9.50am on Saturday morning across the venue to commemorate the life