Kennedy finds Madeira piece of cake

Australia’s Brad Kennedy carded a brilliant 62 to take a four-shot lead after the delayed first round of the Madeira Island Open.

Kennedy was one of 60 players unable to complete their rounds on schedule on Thursday after two hours and 20 minutes play was lost to heavy rain and low cloud.

The 29-year-old Australian was seven under par after 11 holes and picked up three more shots this morning to finish 10 under par, one shot outside the course record.

Kennedy, second in the Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur last week, led by four shots from Kent’s Jamie Spence, who also completed his round today and birdied three of his final four holes.

Spence was in danger of losing his card last year for the first time since coming through the qualifying school in 1989, and shed tears of relief after finishing third in his penultimate event in Majorca to secure his playing rights for 2004.

He has missed the cut in his last three events this season but is trying to focus on winning a third tour event rather than battling to make the cut.

“I’ve been around the cut for the last 18 months and it makes it really hard work,” said Spence, who had a break of around 30 minutes before going back out to start his second round at Santo da Serra.

“Every week you have to par the last two holes or make a birdie to make the cut and that is horrible.

“I’m out here to try and win, I’ve done it a couple of times and want to win again. If you come out there trying to make cuts you’re going to miss them.

“I’ve tried to get away from it and got away from it today and now we’ve got to see what happens this afternoon.”