Play suspended at Wales Open

Heavy mist this morning forced play to be suspended in the second round of the Celtic Manor Resort Wales Open.

Six players completed the first hole but were unable to play the par five second as the mist descended and reduced visibility to a few yards.

Rain was also falling and it was an unwelcome repeat of last year’s problems when only six players completed a hole on the opening day before persistent rain ended play for the day.

Further rain throughout the week eventually reduced the tournament to 36 holes, Ireland’s Paul McGinley effectively securing his Ryder Cup place with victory on the fifth hole of a sudden-death play off with Paul Lawrie and Daren Lee.

The Ryder Cup will be staged over a redesigned Wentwood Hills course in 2010, and next year’s Wales Open will be played on a different date.

It will be held from May 29 to June 1, the week after the Volvo PGA Championship and two weeks before the US Open, with prize money also increased to £1.5m (€2.29m).

South African James Kingston and Australian Richard Green held a one-shot lead after the first round, the duo establishing the course record with rounds of 65.

Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance was in joint second after a 66, alongside local favourite Bradley Dredge.