NEWS

Sicilian Open to finish on Monday as spring storm interrupts fourth round

By PA Sport
Published on
Sicilian Open to finish on Monday as spring storm interrupts fourth round

Raphael Jacquelin extended his lead at the European Tour’s inaugural Sicilian Open to two strokes Sunday afternoon, but a weather delay meant he wouldn’t have the chance to seal the title until Monday.

Frenchman Jacquelin and his playing partner, England's Anthony Wall, were among those whose rounds were delayed by the extensive weather delay.

The dangerous conditions meant play was halted for 2 1/2 hours before the leading pair even made it onto the course, and caused officials to announce the fourth round would spill over into Monday.

When Jacquelin, who led by one overnight, did get his round under way, he found himself immediately under pressure.

Wall claimed a birdie at the first to draw level with Jacquelin on 9 under, but the Frenchman followed suit at the second to re-establish his one-stroke lead. And he pushed that to two strokes with another birdie on the par-4 fifth, protecting his advantage with par on the sixth.

Wall also had the unwanted distraction of having to look over his shoulder at the charging Jose Manuel Lara.

The Spaniard claimed three consecutive birdies from the fifth to sit at 3 under for the day after eight holes, one stroke behind Wall and one ahead of Welshman Phillip Price, who was 1 under for the day after six and on his own in fourth on 7 under.

Scotland's Peter Whiteford was in a tie for fifth on 6 under, and England's Robert Dinwiddie a stroke behind him with a share of eighth.