Leonard and Perry lead as lightning halts round

JUSTIN LEONARD and Kenny Perry shared the clubhouse lead in Ponte Vedra, Florida yesterday as electrical storms disrupted the firsts round of the Players' Championship.

Leonard and Perry carded seven under par 65s, to lead Australian Craig Parry by one stroke.

Sixty nine players were stranded on the course when play was called off for the day. The afternoon had been interrupted for 25 minutes because of lightning in the area.

It was halted again shortly be 5.0 p.m., and with the light fading officials decided to complete the first round this morning.

Perry made a quick start with six birdies on the front nine. He also birdied the 12th for his seven under 65.

"I birdied the first three holes right out of the blocks, which is a nice way to start your tournament," he said. Kind of got me relaxed, kind of set the tone for me for the rest of the day. I hit a lot of fairways, a lot of greens and was able to birdie the 12th hole."

Leonard birdied three of his last four holes for his 65. I hit a seven iron about 15 feet for birdie (on the 15th hole) and made it," he said. I hit a little seven iron about three feet and made it (on the 17th). I hit a good driver, and seven iron about 25 feet and made it (on the 18th)."

Perry's round was a welcome change. The past four weeks have been just terrible for me, he said. I just played terrible golf. And so I shoot 82 first round at New Orleans. So I worked all day Saturday and Sunday then Monday through Wednesday was out here from nine to six every day just hitting balls. "I also switched to a new set of irons."

David Frost, Mark Calcavecchia and Kirk Triplett were in the clubhouse on five under 67.

Brian Kamm and Jeff Sluman were on the course at five under when play was halted. Robert Gamez and Steve Elkington, the 1991 champion, each carded four under 68s.

There was little early joy on the European front, with Jesper Parnevik back in the clubhouse at three under alongside Colin Montgomerie, who was one under. Ian Woosnam and Nick Faldo were even after 18 and 10 holes, respectively, while Sam Torrance carded a two over 74 and Sandy Lyle 76.

Seve Ballesteros was forced to pull out with a recurrence of his back trouble. He made his decision after playing 10 holes.

Greg Norman, who won the Doral Open earlier this month, shot a 73.