Play was suspended early at the Houston Open as darkness descended on the Redstone Golf Club, with Bubba Watson leading the field during the third round.

Players were unable to take the course in the morning due to heavy rains that delayed play for nearly six hours and bad light then called a halt to proceedings before the scheduled close.

Once on the course, Watson was raining down birdie after birdie, claiming an impressive 10 birdies and just one bogey through 15 holes, putting him at nine under for the day and 15 under for the tournament.

In his second full year on the PGA Tour, Watson is seeking his first career win but has two top-10 finishes in eight events this year.

When play was called with 30 players still on the course, Watson was holding a three-shot lead over Jeff Maggert, who played 12 holes at six under.

Ireland's Padraig Harrington was in superb form, carding a six under par 66 to move to seven under for the tournament, eight shots off the lead.

Johnson Wagner was able to play his entire third round, signing for an eight-under-par 64, moving to an 11-under 205.

Paul Stankowski (65) and Australian Adam Scott (65) also are at 11-under.

Defending champion Stuart Appleby of Australia played 15 holes at four under and is 10 under overall.

But everyone has work to do in order to catch Watson, who was in top form throughout.

Watson birdied five of his first eight holes before his lone miscue at the par-three ninth.

However, he recovered with four straight birdies after making the turn before picking up a final stroke at the par-five 15th.  PA