Czech Masters suspended by rain with Lee Slattery in lead

Lee-Slattery,-from-England,-reacts-to-a-missed-putt.-(Tony-Dejak/AP)

Lee Slattery, from England, reacts to a missed putt. (Tony Dejak/AP)

VYSOKY UJEZD, Czech Republic — Lee Slattery overcame heavy rain and cold to shoot a 7-under 65 Friday and take the lead in the second round of the Czech Masters as tough weather conditions forced the suspension of play.

As the others were dropping shots, Slattery ignored the elements and built a lead.

The Englishman opened the back nine with a couple of birdies and added three more starting on No. 13. With another three birdies and a bogey, he finished his round at 7-under 137 overall.

"It’s got to be up there, if not the best round (in my career)," said Slattery, a two-time European Tour winner.

"The only green I missed today was the eighth hole and I hit a great chip to five feet and missed it, and had a three on the first for a par," he said. "So overall, it was a flawless round of golf, 14 fairways and 17 greens because I missed that one green, in this weather it was pretty incredible."

Dylan Frittelli was one stroke behind after he birdied one of the four holes he managed to complete. Chris Hanson and Pontus Widegren were one shot behind Frittelli after playing one hole.

The second round will restart Saturday morning, with the third round to follow later in the day.

The Czech event marks the beginning of a year-long qualification process for an automatic spot on Europe’s team for the 2018 Ryder Cup.

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