The emerging pattern across the expansive leaderboard on the opening morning of the Nissan Irish Open showed a sea of blue numbers - which indicates bogey or worse - and with an air of inevitability play was suspended shortly before noon due to high winds at Carton House.

Such were the blustery conditions on a dry, sunny morning at the Montgomerie Course in Maynooth, that play became impossible as golf balls wouldn't come to rest on some of the exposed greens around the course. Players, therefore, were unable to complete their scores on holes such as the par four fifth.

Tournament director David Probyn said: "The prospects are not good unless the wind drops or we get some moisture on the greens.  The forecast is for less wind tomorrow and at the weekend and we hope to make up for lost time."

European Tour officials have been forced to suspend play indefinitely in the hope that conditions will improve during the day. They will reassess the situation at 3pm but thunder and rain is forecast for the afternoon.

Andy McFee, who is chief referee at the European Tour, admitted it had been a difficult morning.

"From the word go, balls were moving but not significantly," he said.  "However, once the wind speed increased and the greens began to dry out the movement became more significant particularly on the second and fifth greens."

As it stands, tournament favourite Padraig Harrington and former Amateur champion Michael Hoey share the lead with England's Ian Poulter and Robert-Jan Derksen from the Netherlands on one under. They are the only players in the field under par at present.

Harrington was not optimistic of returning to the course any time soon. He was on the fifth tee when play was halted and said: "This could be a big blow to anyone playing this morning.

"We might play again at 6pm this evening when the wind drops and the later starters get to play 36 holes tomorrow when it's not windy."

Dubliner Peter Lawrie had held the early lead when he got to three under after six holes but has since dropped back to two over through 12.

Paul McGinley, like so many players, was having a miserable day to be six over through 13 when play was suspended. Colm Moriarty was four over with five to play, one better than his playing partner Stephen Browne.

Graeme McDowell (12.40pm) and Darren Clarke (1pm) are among the afternoon starters, when those  showers and thunder are forecast.

England's Paul Broadhurst somehow managed to keep on track with a hole-in-one at the 12th  when he holed-out with a six-iron from 204yards. A magnum of champagne will be waiting for him at the end of the round.

Jose Manuel Lara was the first casualty of the day when, after four holes, the Spaniard withdrew complaining of flu symptoms. He was three over at the time.

There are 19 Irishmen in the field this week, that number swollen from other tour events because many of the leading players on the domestic Irish PGA circuit qualify for their national championship.

This week provides such players huge potential to boost their earnings in a week where a €2.2million prize purse is on offer.