Welshman Phillip Price took a one-shot lead in the weather-battered second round of the Trophee Hassan on Friday as strong winds caused a five-and-a-half hour delay.

More than half the field will have to complete their second round on Saturday, but that won’t worry Price who carded five birdies in eight holes to take over at the top of the leaderboard.

Price, who famously beat Phil Mickelson as Europe won the Ryder Cup in 2002, moved to 10 under par for the two rounds at the Golf du Palais Royal.

He parred his first five holes before a hat-trick of birdies from the 15th while further gains followed at the second and fourth.

“I was delighted with that today and I was very surprised by how calm it became throughout the day after this morning,” said Price, who won the last of his three European Tour titles nine years ago.

“I had a 5.25 alarm call this morning and then a five-and-a-half-hour delay. Thankfully I managed to have a little 20-minute power nap in the locker room during the delay and that really helped,” added the 45-year-old.

“But it was frustrating to go to the tee twice and not be allowed to tee off because it is difficult to get yourself in the right mood and then be called off.

“By the time we got to the tee for the third time I wasn’t sure if we were going to be allowed to go, but thankfully it died down and, as I said, I managed to play very well.”

Spain’s Jose Manuel Lara was second after a 65 left him on nine under for the tournament, one ahead of Sweden’s Joel Sjoholm.

The Swede is eight under and shares third place with South Africa’s James Kingston who still has one hole to finish.

Overnight leader Damien McGrane was seven under after five holes before play was halted.