Heavy rain and fog, later followed by lightning, forced second-round play to be abandoned for the day midway through the afternoon in the Wales Open at Celtic Manor today.
Morning rain and fog had delayed action by a total of three hours 20 minutes before lightning caused the third stoppage of the day at 2 p.m. this afternoon.
Although play was set to resume early this evening, the arrival of further rain left most of the greens waterlogged and officials had no option but to call off play for the day.
Scotland's Paul Lawrie, who opened with a 67, was the early leader at nine under par after 11 holes. Australia's Richard Green, following a first-round 65, was one stroke back in second place after five holes.
Last year's Wales Open was thrown into disarray by the rain which caused play to be abandoned in the first round after the brief foray by just six players.
The title was eventually decided over just 36 holes and then a playoff when three men were tied on top.
The trio shot it out in sudden-death at the only hole playable, the short 12th, where Paul McGinley prevailed at the fifth time of asking, leaving 1999 British Open champion Lawrie and England's Daren Lee to share second place.
Darren Clarke leads this year’s Irish challenge on four under. The Tyroneman shot a first round 68 but never even took to the course this afternoon.
Reigning champion Paul McGinley is a further shot behind on three under and like Clarke, never got to start his second round.
Veteran Des Smyth is a disappointing three over after 12 holes of his round and lies at one over for the tournament.
Graeme McDowell is two under today, after finishing on the tenth hole, and sits with Smyth on one under.