Madeira fog cuts Open

THE Madeira Islands Open was reduced to 36 holes because of persistent fog yesterday, with the first round still incomplete.

Play in the European Tour’s 1,500th event couldn’t start on Thursday, and delays on Friday meant the tournament was cut to 54 holes with 77 players yet to finish. Yesterday, with the course still shrouded in fog, 36 players were yet to card a round when play was suspended (including Ireland’s Dara Ford on one over after 12 holes).

David Higgins 72, Peter Lawrie 73, Gareth Shaw 73, Kevin Phelan 78, trailed leader Scott Henry of Scotland on 67.