Dibnah endures lightning delay to lead in Salamanca

A THUNDER and lightning delay at the Spanish Open came at the wrong time for Australia’s Corinne Dibnah, who, after a day of two halves, leads by two shots after day two at Campo de Golf Salamanca.

The 40-year-old from Brisbane enjoyed the blistering heat of the early afternoon and lobbed in five birdies and a bogey in her first 12 holes. She moved five shots ahead of the field and was seemingly cruising just as a severe electrical thunderstorm appeared over the former European city of culture.

But after a bogey on the 13th and with play suspended as she teed off at the 14th, Dibnah returned 90 minutes later and racked up a crippling double bogey to slip back to the field. Pars followed and despite her mixed day, the 13-time Tour winner was happy with a 71 and six under par total.

"I hate rain delays," joked Dibnah, who leads Virginie Auffret from France, Belgium's Lara Tadiotto and Italy's Federica Dassu.

Chasing the veteran Aussie is a host of youth and experience. The 44-year-old Dassu managed a one over 73, while Auffret had a second consecutive 70 and Tadiotto posted a best of the day 67 to share second place.

On two under par in fifth place, Sophie Sandolo from Italy joins Mandy Adamson from South Africa, Stephanie Arricau from France and Anna Becker from Sweden, who fired a best of the day 66.

Sweden's Maria Boden, Tenerife Open winner Elisabeth Esterl from Germany, join three Englishwomen on one under par Colchester's Sarah Bennett, who carded a 69, Burton-on-Trent's Rachel Bailey with a 70 and Clitheroe's Kirsty Taylor, who had a 71.

The cut fell at six over par.