Casey to the fore as fog forces delay at Portrush

For the first time since 1980, the North of Ireland Amateur Golf Championship, at Royal Portrush, will be extended, until Saturday at least, because fog caused suspension of play yesterday evening.

After a scorching day, fog blew in from the sea after 4pm and play had to be suspended, with visibility down to the minimum.

The qualifiers for matchplay, provided there are no further stoppages, should be known around 11am and the knockout first round will tee-off half-an-hour later.

It looked likely yesterday that Headfort’s Brian Casey would be celebrating Silver Medal success after the 36 holes qualifying, on the Valley and Dunluce courses, but he must wait a little longer.

He is in poll position, however, as most of the other big guns have played their 36 holes on the Valley and Dunluce courses.

After his opening three-under-67 on the Valley, he added a four-under-68 from the tougher Dunluce, with birdies at the four long holes and added back-to-back birdie threes at the 12th and 13th, as well. That leaves him sitting on 135, two shots ahead of his chasers.

“I hit it big and straight,” Casey said. “It wasn’t the best choice to use drivers out there because the rough is really deep so irons and wedges were called for. I hit most of the fairways and green in regulation and I remained patient.”

Dermot McElroy, who was the Silver Medalist last year, Irish Close champion Cormac Sharvin and Aaron Kearney, who fired a 65 on the Valley on Monday are finished on 137, so Casey is clear of this top trio.

The Headford plus-four handicapper was the recent runner-up in the Brabazon Trophy and he was also second in the East of Ireland Championship.