Play abandoned at Valderrama

Less than four hours’ play was possible on the second day of the European Tour’s season-ending Volvo Masters at Valderrama today because of heavy rain.

But that was long enough for defending champion Justin Rose to fail to break 80 for the second successive day – and then withdraw after being told of the death of his grandfather in South Africa.

Ten players had not even started their second rounds, including leaders Soren Kjeldsen (six under) and Sergio Garcia (three under), but in the battle for the Order of Merit title Miguel Angel Jimenez dropped seven strokes in the first four holes before the suspension came.

The decision not to have preferred lies appeared to have done him no good at all.

That almost certainly puts him out of the running for the money list title – he had to win to stand a chance – leaving only Robert Karlsson, Lee Westwood and Padraig Harrington to battle for the crown.

Current number one Karlsson was three over after four holes and Harrington five over after 13, while Westwood had yet to resume on one under.

Rose added an 81 to his opening 80 for a 19-over-par total of 161. He was last by six when play was called off just after midday and then postponed for the day three hours later.

It was probably for the best that play was abandoned from the point of view of Irish players as, apart from Harrington, Peter Lawrie and Paul McGinley were both eight over and Damien McGrane and Rory McIlroy were six over.

Darren Clarke, the best of the Irish at level par, didn't get to play today while Graeme McDowell, at one over, only played one hole.

The forecast is not good for the weekend, meaning the last-ever Volvo Masters could be cut to 54 or even 36 holes.