PAUL McGINLEY showed his liking for the French Federation's National Club headquarters yesterday by sprinting into contention for the French Open.

But the Dubliner was able to play only 12 holes after a series of rainstorms battered the already saturated Parisian course and permitted only three and a half hours play before it was abandoned for the day shortly before 6.00 p.m.

McGinley, who was beaten in a play-off for the 1993 French title by Costantino Rocca and was fourth last year, was then in second place at three under par along with England's Roger Chapman and Martin Gates.

The leader was South African Retief Goosen who began with an eagle two by holing a 126-yard wedge shot, and also had four birdies in his first 11 holes to be six below the card. The only other Irish players to get on the course were Raymond Burns, who was one under par after five holes; Des Smyth level par after six; and Ronan Rafferty three over after nine holes. He began with a double bogey after snap-hooking his drive into heavy rough and three-putting, and also ended his outward half with a six after chipping his third through the green into a water-filled bunker.

A total of 78 players did not hit a single stroke. Among them was favourite Colin Montgomerie, who next week defends his Murphy's Irish Open title. McGinley and the rest of the first half of the field of 156 are scheduled to resume at 8.30 this morning, weather permitting.

He had been forced to wait three hours after heavy overnight rain had delayed the start, and then had a further three and a half hours in the clubhouse when play was suspended at 2.00 p.m. following another storm. Tournament director David Garland attempted to resume at 5.30 p.m. and sent the players back out, but before they could hit another stroke the heavens re-opened, sending them scurrying back to the clubhouse.

"The trouble here is that the sub soil is clay and because there has been so much rain in the last week it is not able to drain away," he said. "The bunkers are a particular problem because of the streams of water running through them."

Greenstaff will be on duty at 5.00 a.m. today, mopping up in the hope that play will be able to resume at breakfast time. McGinley commented: "It was very difficult for everyone, but I like the course. It is a good mental test, and I prefer it when the wind blows.

He is also well prepared for what seems certain in the light of the weather forecast to be a week of stop-start golf. "I have just started a John Grisham book I bought at the airport, and that makes the time go quickly," he said.

Goosen made no protest about the weather halting his progress. He was struck by lightning when he was 18 and playing in his home town of Pietersburg in Northern Transvaal. "I suffered a burst eardrum, and some burn marks, and I was left with a heart murmur he said. "It is not a comfortable feeling when there is lightning around."