India Championship halted by fading light with four players sharing lead

Fading light halted the second round of the DP World India Championship on Friday, leaving four players tied at the top and Rory McIlroy among those facing an early return to complete their rounds. BBC Sport reported that Joost Luiten, Angel Hidalgo, Adrian Meronk and Thomas Detry were level on eight under par when play stopped in New Delhi.

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Luiten, Hidalgo and Meronk had all completed their second rounds, but Detry had played only seven holes. That left the leading group split between three players with their 36-hole totals settled and one still with 11 holes to finish. England's Eddie Pepperell and Todd Clements had also completed their rounds and were one stroke behind the leaders on seven under.

McIlroy was tied for 17th at four under par, four shots off the lead, after completing just four holes of his second round. The six-time major champion began with an eagle before recording three consecutive pars. His opening burst therefore left him two under for the round when the hooter brought play to an end, with 14 holes still outstanding.

Tom McKibbin, who had started the second round only one shot behind the lead, was three adrift at the suspension. The Northern Irishman stood at five under par after seven holes, leaving him in the group still needing to complete a substantial portion of the round. Tommy Fleetwood was alongside McIlroy at four under after four holes, while Robert MacIntyre was also four under overall.

Friday's interruption followed a lengthy weather delay on Thursday, when heavy rain and thunderstorms stopped the opening round for five hours. The latest suspension was caused by diminishing daylight rather than another reported thunderstorm. With several leading contenders still on the course, the second-round standings remained provisional despite a number of players having finished their 18 holes.

BBC Sport said the second round was scheduled to restart at 02:45 BST on Saturday. Detry will resume level with the three clubhouse leaders, while McIlroy, Fleetwood and McKibbin will return with holes remaining and ground to make up on the leading score of eight under.