Storm halts play at Joburg Open

R3 LEADERBOARD
(SA unless stated):
-12 A Canete (Arg)
-11 A McLardy, H Otto
-10 E Molinari (Ita)
-9 J Gonnet (Fra), A Haindl, M Murless, E Rush (Eng), S Struver (Ger)

A thunderstorm stopped play midway through the third round at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington with the unheralded Ariel Canete leading.

The Argentine had improved from nine under to 12 under at the turn to lead by one shot when the siren sounded.

South Africans Andrew McLardy and Hennie Otto are one shot back after 11 and eight holes respectively.

Only about half of the 83-strong field have completed their rounds and the third round will resume early Sunday.

Italy's Edoardo Molinari, the 2005 US Amateur champion, was next best at 10 under through 11 holes.

Five players were at nine under - France's Jean Gonnet (12 holes), Germany's Sven Struver (13), England's Edward Rush (16) and South Africans Alex Haindl (13) and Mark Murless (10).

Dutchman Maarten Lafeber is the clubhouse leader on nine under after a four-under 68 on Saturday.