Barham leads rain-interrupted Caltex Masters
Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Singapore
Thunder and lightning forced tournament officials of the Caltex Singapore Masters to suspend the game twice at the Laguna National Golf and Country Club on Thursday before calling it a day.
Benn Barham of England had a seven-under 65 on the first round with a one-under in the first nine to be the temporary leader pending the results of other golfers.
Starting on the 10th hole, Barham made a birdie on the par-5, 11th only to waste the lead with a double bogey on the 13th, a par 4. But he improved his play with two more birdies on the 17th and 18th.
The Englishman made an even better performance on his way back to the clubhouse with a six-under 30.
Barham started strong with a birdie at the par-4, 1st hole and three more birdies at holes 3, 4 and 5. He continued the streak with two more birdies at the par-5, 7th and par-3, 8th.
World number 2 Ernie Els and the tournament's defending champion Arjun Atwal of India each were left at five under 67 after finishing the 15th hole when play was suspended for the second time.
Due to the weather, the officials then decided to postpone the first round for those who had not finished. The players will finish their first round's holes early on Friday morning before continuing with the second round.
Englishman Paul Broadhurst was one stroke behind Barham with a six-under 66. He shared the second place with Indian Jeev Milkha Singh and compatriot Simon Khan.
Both Broadhurst and Singh carded three-under 33 on the front nine and back nine. Khan shot a two-under 34 on his way out and a four-under 32 on his way back.
"I am really pleased. I hit a poor tee-shot off the first and straight away I was on the back foot. But then I made three birdies on the spin. Strange game really," said Broadhurst at the clubhouse.
"Overall, I am delighted. A 66 anytime is a good score."
Broadhurst also admitted that he had putted terribly in Wednesday's pro-am game.
Singh said it was a bit of a shock that he had shot 66.
"It is good to know that I still have it in me. I cannot remember the last time I shot 66," he said after his round.
"I played well today. I putted good and drove it good although my driving needs to be better."
Singh had seven birdies and a bogey at hole 10 where he had a bad drive and hit a tree with his recovery shot.
Four other golfers completed their round by carding five-under 67s. They were Andrew Marshall of England, Lu Wen-teh of Chinese Taipei, Welshman David Park and Argentinean Gustavo Rojas.
"I played nicely and had quite a few chances and took a few of them. It could have been better though. Played solid really," Park told reporters after his round.
Els shot a humble one-under 35 on the front nine after a bogey at the par-4, 6th hole and two birdies at 1 and 5.
However, the South African was on a four-birdie charge on the back nine before getting rained out after the 15th.
Els said he was not disappointed about the postponement.
"No, not really. I can go home now because I'm happy with the way I came back on the back nine.
"I hit a good drive down the 16th hole so we can go home happy and come back tomorrow. It doesn't make any difference," he added.
Saying he had a great sleep of about nine hours, Els also said he was satisfied with the way he adapted to the course.
"Not bad although I still have to get used to the grain on the greens, but I am satisfied.
"I missed some putts but as I made some birdies ... so far, so good," he added.