Five lead as play is cut short by rain

Gil Morgan was taking steps toward his first victory of the season before Mother Nature had other ideas. Morgan is one of five players tied for the lead at 4-under-par at the $1.6 million Greater Hickory Classic after Friday's first round was suspended by rain.

The course received more than three inches of rain in the last 24 hours, prompting the conclusion of the opening round to be pushed back to Saturday morning with 68 of the 77 participants still on the course.

"The fairways started accumulating too much water and several holes were unplayable," Champions Tour tournament director Ben Nelson said. "We will resume play at 9:00 a.m. (EDT) on Saturday morning and start the second round at 10:30 a.m. Our plans are to still play a 54-hole event."

Looking for his 24th career Champions Tour victory, the 59-year-old Morgan got off to a good start as he birdied two of the first four holes. He had only one bogey through 17 holes before the rain became too heavy to continue.

Playing partner Don Pooley also sits at 4-under, as does Keith Fergus, who has completed 14 holes, John Bland (12) and Wayne Levi (10).

One shot back is a group of six that includes Dana Quigley, who is through 16 holes but built some momentum for Saturday by birdying three of his final four holes.

Still searching for his first victory of the season, defending champion Doug Tewell is the clubhouse leader at 2-under, one of seven players two strokes off the pace.

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