TAIPEI, Sept 15, 2012 (AFP) - The blustery and damp conditions at the Linkou International Golf and Country Club forced officials to reduce the US$500,000 event to a 54-stroke play tournament, the Asian Tour said in a statement.
"The extremely wet and windy conditions made it a challenge for play to continue today. The safety of our players going out to the course was also another priority," said Wanchai Meechai, the Asian Tour's tournament director.
"As such, we have taken the decision to abandon play for today," he said.
Play would resume on Sunday morning, when conditions were expected to be calmer, he said. "We are also not ruling out a Monday finish so that we can get all 54 holes played," added Wanchai.
Angelo Que of the Philippines holds the clubhouse lead with his first round seven-under-par 65 while American Jason Knutzon, who was even-par through nine holes, took a share of second place alongside India's Gaganjeet Bhullar.
Taiwan's Lin Wen-tang was in fourth place after an opening 67 while India's Anirban Lahiri was one back in fifth place on 68.
Singapore's Koh Dengshan, who was one-over after three holes before play was abandoned, remained unperturbed by the weather conditions.
"This is expected of the weather in Taipei and before I came, I was already mentally prepared for these kinds of conditions. There's nothing much you can do except to go back there again and play your best when the weather conditions are much better," said Koh.