CANTON (AP) — The leader never even showed up at the course.

Corey Richmond, who posted an 8-under 63 before the heavy stuff came down in Tuesday’s first round, maintained a three-shot lead without having to leave his hotel on Wednesday while others battled the elements in the 107th Ohio Amateur.

With the threat of heavy rains, rumbling thunder, crackling lightning and dangerous weather peppering Brookside Country Club, tournament officials finally conceded to Mother Nature and shortened the tournament from 72 to 54 holes.

“It’s been the theme of the summer,” said Jim Popa, executive director of the sponsoring Ohio Golf Association. “It seems like everywhere we go we’ve battled the weather — and this week it’s gotten the best of us.”

With thunderclouds the color of a bad bruise hovering overhead, Popa and the OGA suspended play early in Wednesday’s second round. Half of the field hadn’t even teed off and the other half was on the course, many not even halfway done.

Those players will return to soggy Brookside Country Club on Thursday morning at 8:30 to complete their rounds. The second wave of 72 players — keep in mind, half of the field has yet to even tee off in the second round — will then play starting at 11 a.m.

When everyone has finished the second round, there will be a cut to the low 60 scores and ties. The survivors will return on Friday for the final 18 holes.

It will mark the first time since 1990 at The Sharon Golf Club that the prestigious event hasn’t gone a full four rounds.

Warm, humid and dry weather is forecast for both Thursday and Friday.