Golf: Norman in his element as rain stops play

Greg Norman stayed on course for his fifth Australian Open title, conquering icy winds and driving rain in Sydney yesterday before the weather forced an early stop to his second round.

Norman was level par for the day and five-under for the tournament with two holes left when rain halted play for the third time with 38 players still on the course.

Norman had a one-stroke lead over Sweden's Klas Eriksson, who had completed 15 holes on the Australian Golf Club course. Only four players were under par for the day when the weather intervened.

The American prodigy Tiger Woods had a par round of 72 and looked certain to make the cut with a total of 151.

The unseasonal weather saw snow fall in several parts of south eastern Australia and the players had to fight to maintain their concentration.