Golf: Smyth holds edge: Irishman holds lead as weather intervenes

DES SMYTH, who has led all the way, was three shots clear of the field after 10 holes of his fourth round as failing light brought an end to a chaotic day at the Madrid Open yesterday. The Irishman shot nine pars and one birdie in his shortened spell and, at 16 under par, leads the Spaniard Jose Rivero, who has completed 11 holes, by three strokes.

He also leads David Feherty, David J Russell, Wayner Westner, of South Africa, the Argentinian Eduardo Romero and Santiago Luna, of Spain, by four. Feherty, who shot 66, and Russell, who had a 67, at least finished their final rounds and on 276, 12 under par, are the joint leaders in the clubhouse. Romero has played 15 holes, Luna 13 and Westner 10 on a day which left 19 of the 68 players still out on the course when time was called. Play will start at 8am today as more rain is forecast for the afternoon.

The problems began from the start of the day when rain so saturated the greens and bunkers that play was not possible for two hours and 10 minutes. Then another 70-minute hold- up midway through the afternoon ensured that the fourth round could not be completed.

Smyth, however, refused to be put off. His only birdie came at the long fifth, which he hit in two and took two putts from 40 feet.

MADRID OPEN Leading scores in incomplete final round (GB or Irl unless stated): 276 D Feherty 68 72 70 66; D J Russell 74 67 68 67. 277 G Brand Jnr 75 65 68 69. 278 D W Basson (SA) 70 72 67 69; S Struver (Ger) 72 70 67 69; A Oldcorn 70 71 70 67. 279 F Lindgren (Swe) 74 68 69 68; A Forsbrand (Swe) 73 68 70 68; P Fowler (Aus) 68 70 71 70; M Davis 68 72 69 70; B Lane 69 66 73 71; M James 71 69 68 71. 280 R Lee 70 71 71 68; J-M Carriles (Sp) 71 70 68 71; P Hall 73 68 68 71. 281 P Way 70 70 72 69; A Sorensen (Den) 68 72 70 71; I Garrido (Sp) 72 67 70 72; R Rafferty 72 71 66 72. 19 players failed to complete fourth round because of failing light.