Rain halts South African Open play

DURBAN, South Africa, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Retief Goosen was among early leaders Thursday although rain meant none of the players finished their first round at the European Tour's South African Open.

Goosen was 2-under-par after four holes, a start matched by Thorbjorn Olesen, who played eight holes; David Drysdale, who got seven in; and Divan van den Heever and Martin Maritz, who each played six holes Thursday.

Another 12 golfers are at 1-under.

Persistent rain -- more than 3 inches fell Thursday -- meant only half the field even teed off Thursday and no player played more than nine holes at the Durban Country Club course. Play was halted for 5 1/2 hours before organizers suspended play midafternoon.

Tournament officials said the first round will be completed Friday and the second round is scheduled for Saturday. It will be determined then whether to play 36 holes on Sunday or cut the event to 54 holes.