Raphaël Jacquelin remained one ahead of Anthony Wall as the delayed final round of the Sicilian Open got underway.
The Frenchman, looking for a first European Tour title since 2007, saw his overnight lead wiped out by Wall’s birdie at the first when play resumed after a delay of two-and-a-half hours.
Dangerous weather had forced the suspension at Donnafugata Golf Resort & SPA before the leaders teed off, and the lengthy delay meant at least six pairings would return on Monday to decide the winner of the €166,660 first prize.
Jacquelin responded instantly with a gain at the second to reach ten under par.
Sweden’s Joel Sjöholm, Spain’s José Manuel Lara and Wales’ Phillip Price were leading the chasing pack on seven under, while big-hitting Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts set the clubhouse target at five under after a 68.
Jacquelin and Wall birdied the par five seventh, the Englishman holing from 12 feet after his playing partner splashed his third shot from the bunker to a couple of feet.
Wall then gave a shot back at the ninth, allowing Lara – who had a hattrick of birdies from the fifth before a fourth gain of the day at the tenth – into a share of second.
They were three off Jacquelin’s pace, however, as the 36 year old entered the back nine.
