By . Phil Casey, Press Association . Torrential rain forced play to be suspended after just 20 minutes in the second round of the 96th US PGA Championship on Friday. Play had got under way on schedule at 7:30am, but the first group of joint leader Ryan Palmer, Ireland's Shane Lowry and Bob Sowards were still on the first green when it was called off. Two members of the greenkeeping staff at Valhalla had been attempting to clear water off the green, but that proved an impossible task as the rain intensified. Game over: The US PGA Championship has been suspended due to heavy rain at Valhalla . Busy: Staff attempt to clear the first green of water as Ryan Palmer bends down to place his ball . Waiting game: Co-leader Palmer watches staff work on the course as rain continues to pour . The forecast for the rest of the day was also not promising, with Tiger Woods predicting on Thursday that, as one of the later starters, he might not complete his second round until Saturday. Palmer shared the lead with compatriot Kevin Chappell and England's Lee Westwood on six under par, with world number one Rory McIlroy a shot behind alongside Henrik Stenson, Chris Wood, Edoardo Molinari and Jim Furyk. Woods, who had declared himself fit just days after withdrawing from the final round of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational with more back problems, had struggled to an opening 74 on a day when 53 players broke par. Soaked: Palmer holds an umbrella to shelter himself and his caddie as they walk down the first fairway .
Torrential rain hit Valhalla early on Friday morning .
Co-leader Ryan Palmer was on the first hole when play was suspended .
Tiger Woods feared he would not complete his second round before Saturday .
PGA announce that play will resume at 8.35am ET .
By . Phil Casey, Press Association . Torrential rain forced play to be suspended after just 20 minutes in the second round of the 96th US PGA Championship on Friday. Play had got under way on schedule at 7:30am, but the first group of joint leader Ryan Palmer, Ireland's Shane Lowry and Bob Sowards were still on the first green when it was called off. Two members of the greenkeeping staff at Valhalla had been attempting to clear water off the green, but that proved an impossible task as the rain intensified. Game over: The US PGA Championship has been suspended due to heavy rain at Valhalla . Busy: Staff attempt to clear the first green of water as Ryan Palmer bends down to place his ball . Waiting game: Co-leader Palmer watches staff work on the course as rain continues to pour . The forecast for the rest of the day was also not promising, with Tiger Woods predicting on Thursday that, as one of the later starters, he might not complete his second round until Saturday. Palmer shared the lead with compatriot Kevin Chappell and England's Lee Westwood on six under par, with world number one Rory McIlroy a shot behind alongside Henrik Stenson, Chris Wood, Edoardo Molinari and Jim Furyk. Woods, who had declared himself fit just days after withdrawing from the final round of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational with more back problems, had struggled to an opening 74 on a day when 53 players broke par. Soaked: Palmer holds an umbrella to shelter himself and his caddie as they walk down the first fairway .
rain forced play to be suspended after just 20 Sowards were still on the first green when it was first green of water as Ryan Palmer bends down to the day was also not promising, with Tiger Woods starters, he might not complete his second round