Persistent rain and storms prevented Shubhankar Sharma and Yuvraj Sandhu from beginning their opening rounds, while Tom McKibbin reached 5-under to take the early lead at The Belfry.

Shubhankar Sharma and Yuvraj Sandhu were unable to begin their opening rounds as severe weather disrupted the first day of the Husqvarna British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo.

Repeated suspensions at The Belfry Hotel & Resort left several players waiting to tee off before darkness forced play to be abandoned for the day.

Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin made the most progress, moving to 5-under through 13 holes before another storm brought proceedings to a halt.

Beginning from the 10th, the 23-year-old was level par through two holes when the second weather delay arrived. He found his rhythm following the lengthy suspension, making birdies at the par-five 15th and 17th before converting a long birdie putt at the 18th.

McKibbin continued his charge after the turn, hitting his approach close at the first and adding another birdie at the par-five third to establish the early lead.

England’s Joe Dean and Spain’s Nacho Elvira were one stroke behind at 4-under. Dean had completed 13 holes, while Elvira was through 12 when play was suspended.

Dylan Frittelli, Francesco Laporta, Oliver Lindell, Antoine Rozner, Marcel Schneider and Johannes Veerman formed the next group at 3-under.

The disruption began almost immediately, with the first suspension arriving just two minutes after the opening tee shots. Players returned for only 94 minutes before flooded bunkers caused another stoppage lasting four hours and 10 minutes.

With a significant portion of the field yet to complete—or even begin—the opening round, Sharma and Sandhu face a delayed start and a compressed schedule when play resumes.

Photo – DPWT