Home favourite Stuart Appleby took advantage of an early start to race into a six-shot lead at the Australian Open as a five-hour delay due to high winds left the second round incomplete and players frustrated.
The 2001 champion fired a second consecutive six-under-par 66 for a two round total of 12-under 132 to leave him ahead of former world number three Adam Scott, who was two-under for the day after managing six holes before bad light stopped play.
Teeing off from the 10th, Appleby opened his round with two pars at the New South Wales course before play was suspended after gusts of up to 64kph forced the stoppage just over one hour after the second round began.
Appleby, an eight times winner on the PGA Tour, returned after the break to record five birdies and a bogey in his round, highlighted by a long putt for eagle on the 18th.
Former U.S. Open champion Geoff Ogilvy (76) was one of those who struggled in the high winds and could miss the cut as he finished on 149 five-over in a tie for 65th place.
The delay in play means that organisers were left with the headache of having to complete the second and third rounds on Saturday.
