Davies, Head Lead British Open

Laura Davies waited three hours to make an 18-foot birdie putt that took her to the top of the leaderboard at the British Open at Sunningdale, England, on Thursday.

Reaching the 12th green in two in teeming rain, Davies then heard the sound to halt play. With pools of water appearing across the course, organizers decided to suspend the competition and, after three hours, Davies returned to the green to roll in the putt.

She finished at four-under-par 68 and shared the first-round lead with countrywoman Johanna Head.

Winner of four majors among her 61 career titles, Davies hasn’t won the British Open since 1986. This year it’s a major and she’s more eager than ever to win on home turf.

“It was a long day. The first shot after the rain delay was an 18-foot putt--right in the middle,” she said. “That was a nice way to start back up.”

When darkness halted play once more, 54 players still hadn’t finished their opening rounds, including Scotland’s Janice Moodie, who also is four under with two holes to play.

Head missed from four feet to three-putt the 18th and wound up with a 68.

Rosie Jones, a two-time winner on the U.S. Tour this year, finished at 70, two shots off the lead. So is Annika Sorenstam, winner of five tournaments this year, including the Nabisco Championship.

U.S. Open and LPGA Championship winner Karrie Webb began with three birdies and ended with three bogeys for a two-over 74.

Lee Janzen, hoping a change in diet can energize his season, scored 17 points to claim the early first-round lead in The International at Castle Rock, Colo.

Janzen, who won this event in 1995, had six birdies and an eagle in a bogey-free round at Castle Pines Golf Club that left him one point ahead of Chris Riley.

Rory Sabbatini, whose round was delayed by lightning, had 14 points, and Scott McCarron had 13. Mark O’Meara, who had five consecutive birdies, was in a group at 12 that included Jose Maria Olazabal.

British Open champion David Duval had 11 points, as did two-time International winner Phil Mickelson. Defending champion Ernie Els had 9.

Lightning caused a suspension of play for 2 hours, 54 minutes early in the afternoon with about half of the field still on the course.

When play was suspended for the day by darkness, 42 players remained on the course. They were to complete their rounds early today.

Of those unable to finish, Duffy Waldorf had the best score, 12 points through 15 holes.