Ashley Chesters leads at storm-affected Porsche European Open

By Ali Stafford

Monday 31 July 2017 10:01, UK

Ashley Chesters holds a one-shot advantage after the second day of a weather-disrupted second round at the Porsche European Open.

The former Walker Cup star fired five birdies in a flawless 67 at Green Eagle Golf Club to set the clubhouse lead at nine under, with Siddikur Rahman his nearest challenger following a birdie-filled 66.

Defending champion Alexander Levy, Stuart Manley and overnight leader Richard McEvoy were also on eight under, but still on the course when play was suspended at 8.52pm local time due to fading light.

Nearly four hours of play was lost due to storms and a waterlogged course during the afternoon, with the second round due to resume at 8am local time.

Beginning on the back nine shots off the pace, Chesters posted successive gains from the 12th and added back-to-back birdies from the first.

Chesters sat tied at the top with compatriot Jordan Smith when play was halted at 12.59pm, but edged ahead after the restart and closed a bogey-free card with a penultimate-hole gain.

Smith bogeyed the last to slip two off the lead, with Sweden's Jens Fahrbring also at seven under with three holes to complete after birdieing five of his opening six holes.

Scottish pair Stephen Gallacher and Richie Ramsay are in the group three off the lead after rounds of 70 and 68 respectively, with top seed Patrick Reed two over for the day with three holes to complete.

The third round won't begin before 11am local time on Saturday, with groups going off in three balls and playing off a two-tee start.