Play restarts in Madeira

Play re-started in the Madeira Island Open at noon after a four-hour delay because of bad weather at the hilltop Santo da Serra course.

Low cloud left the course unplayable and the players frustrated at the start of the third round.

The opening two groups in the third round were immediately hampered by poor visibility and had to return to the clubhouse after playing the first hole.

Gary Murphy and Felipe Aguilar of Chile as well as South Africa’s Hennie Otto and Stuart Little were affected by the poor weather.

Murphy dropped a shot at the first as well to go back to one over for the tournament.

However, there was a knock-on effect because of the delay with joint leaders Jarmo Sandelin and Jean Van de Velde not due out until later this afternoon instead of 11.55am.

The former Ryder Cup stars went into the third round lying three shots ahead of the field at 10 under.