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Storm halts New Orleans

Houston - A lightning storm and heavy rain forced the suspension of play in the second round of the New Orleans Classic in Avondale, Louisiana on Friday.

Only 47 of the 151 players in the field managed to complete their second rounds while almost a third, including first round leader American Jason Bohn, did not even tee off.

More than two and a half inches of rain fell in less than three hours, leaving parts of the course under water and the prospects of a resumption of play impossible.

Tournament organisers rescheduled the second round to be completed on Saturday with the third round later that day, if the foul weather clears.

"The forecast for tomorrow isn't very good," tournament director Steve Carman told reporters. "We'll get them out here tomorrow morning and we can play, we'll do that.

"We've got about six hours of golf to finish the second round."

Briton Brian Davis (66), American Lee Janzen (66) and Germany's Alex Cejka (67) all took advantage of their early start times to finish their rounds before the weather turned and share the clubhouse lead at seven-under par.

Briton Greg Owen was also tied for the lead at seven-under with one hole to play in his second round while Bohn was also on seven-under but had not played a single shot on Friday.

Davis, who was thrust into the spotlight after an act of sportsmanship cost him his chance of winning last week's PGA Tour event in South Carolina, made a slow start but then went on a hot streak that included four consecutive birdies in the middle of his round.

"I knew I was going to get softer greens and less wind in the morning. I didn't really take advantage of it (initially)," he said.

"I was level par playing 18 (his ninth hole), and hit close there and made the putt and went on a crazy run. I hit some good shots and holed a couple of putts, and I got up-and-down the last, which was nice.

"It puts me in good position for the weekend."

Janzen had missed the cut in his past four events but has yet to drop a shot in his two rounds at New Orleans after finding his range with his errant putter.

"When you hear players talking about the difference between the guys barely making the cut or barely missing the cut and the guys that are leading the tournament is a very fine line," the two-time U.S. Open champion said.

"That's proof there. All I did was hole a putt on the first hole today, which just seemed to open up the hole a little bit and I made some putts today."

Australia's Greg Chalmers fired a 68 to finish the day at six-under along with compatriot Jarrod Lyle, who had four holes to play, and American David Duval, who was prevented from starting his round.

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