Gale calls halt to morning's play

High winds forced play to be suspended in the early stages of the third round of the North West of Ireland Open at Ballyliffin this morning.

Winds gusting up to 50mph were moving balls on greens and even on the tees and play was halted at 9am with just nine groups out on the course.

Italian Costantino Rocca has a one-shot lead over compatriot Massimo Florioli with Scotland’s Andrew Coltart a further shot back in third place.

However, with 88 players making the halfway cut a long delay could severely disrupt the rest of the tournament and the leaders may not be able to complete their third rounds today.