Storm in contention in Mallorca

Storm is looking to push into the top 15 of the Order of Merit

FIRST-ROUND LEADERBOARD:
(GB & Ire unless stated)
-4 G Murphy, A McLardy (SA), R Finch (6)
-3 J Backstrom (Swe), J Hepworth, G Storm, L Calverie (Spa) (9), E Canonica (Ita) (8), N Fasth (Swe) (7), S Little (3)
Selected others
-2 S Garcia (Spa), A Forsyth
+2 MA Jimenez (Spa) (7)

England's Graeme Storm shot a 67 to lie a shot off the lead in a rain-curtailed first round of the Mallorca Classic.

The clubhouse lead, at four under, was shared by South Africa's Andrew McLardy and Ireland's Gary Murphy, before thunder forced an early abandonment.

It means 60 players will have to resume their first round on Friday morning.

Pre-tournament favourite Sergio Garcia is not one of them, though, after he fired three bogeys and five birdies to finish his round on two-under-par 68.

It was the Spaniard's first event in five weeks, and the world number 10 admitted: "I felt rusty on the front nine and struggled with a couple of tee shots, getting too narrow with my back swing.

"I started to hit some good shots on the back nine, though, and it's the kind of course I like.

I've played far too many events this year and I'm running on empty. Graeme Storm

"Nobody shoots 18 under to win and the winning total always stays between five or 10 under (Niclas Fasth won on five under last year)."

Storm currently lies 16th on the Order of Merit and needs to move into the top 15 to book his place in the US Open next year, while remaining inside the top 20 will guarantee entry into the Open at Royal Birkdale.

But he said: "I've played far too many events this year and I'm running on empty. I've already looked at the schedule for next year and think I'll play 25 or 27 maximum, to play any more would be stupid.

Meanwhile, Hull's Richard Finch started brilliantly to be four under after the first six holes of his round before being forced off the course.

Elsewhere, former Ryder Cup player Andrew Coltart lay a shot behind Garcia on 69 as he bids to improve his Order of Merit ranking from 169th and secure full playing privileges for 2008.

Only the top 118 on the Order of Merit on Sunday evening will hold onto their cards next season.