High winds have forced organisers to postpone play in the Dunhill Links championship third round on Saturday.

The third round has now been scheduled for Sunday and the fourth round on Monday.

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy took a share of the halfway lead on Friday after firing a seven under par, second-round 65.

He was joined in the lead by fellow Northern Irishman Michael Hoey and Scot Richie Ramsey.

McIlroy needs a top-two finish to go top of the European money list.

The decision was met with universal praise by the competitors, including McIlroy and Ramsay.

"You can't argue with the decision. I think everyone can see that, especially here at Kingsbarns," said McIlroy.

"I am just looking at the ninth hole now and with the way that wind is blowing you wouldn't be able to get your ball near that green in three shots, never mind trying to putt on it."

European Tour Tournament Director David Garland said severe gusts, some reaching over 50 mph, made playing conditions impossible at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns with balls moving on several putting surfaces.

"The forecast that we have from every source is for the winds to strengthen during the day, certainly between 11am and 3pm although they will start to taper off into the evening so we have had to abandon the possibility of any play today," said Garland.

"We are very confident that, although it will be very breezy tomorrow and Monday, we should be able to finish on time on Monday afternoon."

He added: "Theoretically we could have played the tournament over three rounds but we took the decision that this is such a prestigious tournament, with a prize fund of 5 million US dollars, that we wanted to go into Monday.

"Our stated goal is to play every tournament over 72."