Joachim B Hansen reeled in overnight leader Kurt Kitayama before a sandstorm brought an end to play on day two of the Oman Open.
Relatively calm conditions had allowed for some good scoring in the very early stages at Al Mouj Golf, but the winds picked up, bringing sand with them and play was suspended at 11:38am.
The situation was monitored, but the winds never dropped to a level where play could be resumed.
Hansen had just made a smart par on the par-five 16th to stay four-under for the day and six-under for the week with two to play when play was suspended. Kitayama was also at six-under through 13 holes, but was in trouble at the par-three fifth, having found water off the tee just before the hooter sounded.
Only 11 players were able to complete their rounds.
South Africa’s leading pair after round one – Brandon Stone and Christiaan Bezuidenhout – endured a frustrating day in which they didn’t make it to the first tee box.
One Saffa to make a move was Zander Lombard, who despite two bogeys in his 12 completed holes, was two-under for the round as he joined Stone and Bezuidenhout.
Lombard eagled the second and made back-to-back birdies at six and seven to move up 23 places.
Dean Burmester will not be around for the weekend (+8) as he slumped to six-over par for his round through 13. Four bogeys in his first five holes and a triple on the 18th was enough to send the big-hitter tumbling 37 places.
