With play suspended in a badly delayed first round of the DP World Tour’s Heron Dubai Desert Classic, Justin Harding had completed 16 holes and was at two-under-par.

Only 12 players had completed their rounds, the start of which was delayed because of cleaning up operations after heavy rains. And then rain came again in the afternoon, bringing a premature close to proceedings. The first round will resume at 8am local time tomorrow.

Only 66 players had managed to start, just half the field, and the only other South African out there was Shaun Norris, who was on level-par through 13 holes.

In the lead was Thomas Pieters of Belgium, who was on five-under through 14. He was one clear of an English trio who had completed their rounds, Matthew Jordan, Daniel Gavins and Oliver Wilson. Also on four-under were Patrick Reed through 16 and Tommy Fleetwood and Victor Perez through 15. World number one Rory McIlroy was on two-under through 15.