Derksen delayed at Madeira Open

Robert-Jan Derksen, still on a high after his shock win in the Dubai Desert Classic, was quickly brought back down to earth on the first day of the Madeira Island Open.

Derksen was among the early starters at Santo da Serra but arrived at the course to discover only four minutes of play had been possible before a sudden thunderstorm brought play to a halt.

Another violent storm and torrential rain left parts of the course under water, and it was not until 11.15am local time that play was able to resume, a delay of three-and-a-half hours.

Derksen, who spent most of that time in the safety of the clubhouse as players watched the developments in Iraq on television, would at least finish his first round on schedule today if there were no further delays, but the later starters would not be so lucky.

The early pace was being set by unknown Englishman Edward Rush, who was making his European Tour debut in the weakened field.

Rush, who missed his card at the qualifying school in November by four shots, had also missed the cut in three Challenge Tour events in South America at the start of the season, but got off to a flying start.

Starting on the 10th, the 23-year-old from East Sussex made a hat-trick of birdies from the 11th and also birdied the 15th to move to four under par.

That was good enough for a two-shot lead over France’s Julien Clement and England’s Brian Davis, with former Ryder Cup hero Philip Walton among those a shot further back.

Gary Murphy is the best of the Irish at the moment - he lies on one under after nine holes.

Pre-tournament favourite Bradley Dredge, the only member of the world’s top 100 competing this week, was among the later starters along with Seve Ballesteros and defending champion Diego Borrego of Spain.