Tournament director Sam Hartrick said the decision was made to temporarily halt play about 1.30pm when was lightning was spotted near the course.

Play is expected to resume at 2.45pm today.

"We have got the safety of not only the players, but the people around here watching, in mind and as soon as there was any lightning or storm activity we decided it was better to be safe than sorry," he said.

When play was suspended there were four equal leaders - Josh Lane, Aaron Pike, Aaron Townsend and amateur Brendan Smith.

Lane shot a course record nine-under par 61 to charge to the lead, while Townsend was six under after playing only seven holes for the round.