Rain disrupts PGA Tour event

CROMWELL, Conn., June 23 (UPI) -- Michael Bradley played the first 16 holes in 6-under Thursday and had the lead when play was suspended in the opening round of the Travelers Championship.

Persistent rains halted play during the noon hour and it never resumed. Only six players completed 18 holes at the TPC-River Highlands course and half the field never got to the first tee.

"We're just going to try and play all the golf we can tomorrow," said Mark Russell, the PGA Tour's vice president of rules and competition.

"It's a game played outside from daylight till dark and a lot of times you deal with the elements. So right now we're just thinking let's come in the morning and play some golf. We will make some decisions at that time, but we are tied in to playing 72 holes. We're going to play 72 holes of golf here."

Bradley had six birdies in an eight-hole stretch to move in front. Those at 5-under, one shot behind, included Chris Couch through 17 holes, Bryce Molder through 16, John Rollins through 15, Bo Van Pelt through 15, Vijay Singh through 14 and Fredrik Jacobson through 13.

Kevin Chappell, who shot a closing-round 66 and tied for third at last week's U.S. Open, was among those at 4-under.

Defending champion Bubba Watson had a late starting time and was unable to begin his round.