Slattery leads as rain halts play

England’s Lee Slattery defied miserable conditions to card a superb 65 and post the clubhouse target at seven under par before play was abandoned for the day in the D+D REAL Czech Masters.

Slattery birdied six of his first eight holes at Albatross Golf Resort and added two more on his inward nine, with his only bogey of the day coming on the eighth, his penultimate hole.

Rain had been falling heavily throughout the morning and eventually made the course unplayable, with play suspended at 2.20pm.

South African Dylan Frittelli was one under after four holes to sit a shot off the lead, with England’s Chris Hanson and Swede Pontus Widegren on five under after completing one hole.

Overnight leader Callum Shinkwin was no doubt grateful for the suspension after starting his second round by dropping three shots in four holes before a birdie on the 14th left him on four under.

“It’s always hard getting up early the best of days, but getting up and seeing the rain this morning, it was difficult,” Slattery said. “You never expect to shoot a score like that, but I’m really happy to be off now.

“It’s got to be up there, if not the best round (in my career). The only green I missed today was the eighth hole and I hit a great chip to five feet and missed it, and had a three-putt on the (par-five) first for a par. In this weather it was pretty incredible.

“The guys may have a result coming back tomorrow in dry conditions, but wherever I lie now, I’m going to be there and in the thick of it during the weekend. That’s all you can do so I’m really happy.”

In the completed rounds, Stirling-based Craig Lee is 11 shots off the pace on 148, following up an opening 68 with a disappointing 80.

Duncan Stewart finished with a tworound total of 154 with rounds of 76 and 78, while Marc Warren was two shots further back with his rounds of 78 giving him a total of 156.