Storms hold up tour hopefulls

Play in the fifth round of the European Tour’s qualifying school final at San Roque was suspended this morning as thunderstorms swept over the Costa del Sol.

Heavy rain, hailstones and occasional bursts of lightning gave tour officials no option but to haul the players off the course.

Birmingham’s Tom Whitehouse, who leads the field on nine under par, and Robert Rock and David Griffiths – who are tied for second at seven-under – had barely reached the first green when the suspension came into force.

Former England international Jamie Little was probably cursing the break of play as the momentum he had built up by picking up two birdies on his first three holes was disrupted.

Dutchman Inder van Weerelt, meanwhile, would have been happier with the opportunity to regroup as he dropped five shots in his first six holes to tumble down to the 11-over mark.

Play was scheduled to resume at midday.