Bernd Wiesberger takes clubhouse lead in Shenzhen

BEIJING: Three-time European Tour champion Bernd Wiesberger took a commanding clubhouse lead from star player Bubba Watson in the second round of the stormy Shenzhen International on Friday.

Wiesberger, who has not missed a cut in the last eight months, scored a bogey-free seven under par before heavy rain and lightning halted play for the day.

The 31-year-old Austrian had woken up at 4:30 am to complete the holes from Thursday’s round that were also delayed due to weather.

Coming in behind Wiesberger was Denmark’s Thorbjørn Olesen and South Africa’s Dylan Frittelli.

But the United States’ heavily-favoured Watson slid to fourth position with seven-under overall, though he is among those yet to complete his second round due to the weather.

Play was suspended at 2:30 pm (0630 GMT), meaning half of the field will complete their second round early Saturday morning before the third round begins for everybody.

Local favourite Li Haotong, ranked 151 in the world and winner of the Volvo China Open last year, also did not complete the round before rain set in.

This is the third edition of the Shenzhen International at the Genzon Golf Club — the first Chinese course to host multiple European Tour events.