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Padraig Harrington is four shots off the lead.
Bad Weather

Mixed fortunes for the Irish as play is suspended at Genesis Open

Jordan Spieth enhanced his chances of claiming back-to-back wins before the severe winds brought an early end to Day Two in California.

JHONATTAN VEGAS TOOK a share of the lead and Jordan Spieth made his move at the Genesis Open but Dustin Johnson was among the players unable to start their second round due to rain and high winds on Friday.

Johnson could replace Jason Day at the top of the world rankings with a win at Riviera Country Club this week, but the US Open champion faces an early start on Saturday after he was left kicking his heels on day two.

Vegas was three under through 14 to join Sam Saunders at the top of the leaderboard on seven under, but play was suspended after a tree beyond the 14th tee came down following a battering from the wind.

Venezuelan Vegas made four birdies on the front nine and dropped just the one shot at 11 prior to the action being cut short, while Saunders will start his second round on Saturday.

Spieth is just two shots back from the leading duo after he was three under with two to play, putting himself in the mix to follow up his success at Pebble Beach last weekend with another victory.

Genesis Open Golf Play is due to resume at 7am Saturday local time. Ryan Kang Ryan Kang

Ireland’s Padraig Harrington has yet to start his second round after carding a four under par 67 on Thursday to sit four shots off the lead, but Graeme McDowell hit a 70 on Friday — leaving him a further three back from the Dubliner.

Shane Lowry, meanwhile, is a long way down the leaderboard on six over par after dropping five shots through 16 holes before the stoppage.

Jason Kokra advanced five places to third after picking up two strokes through 10, while Johnson and Ben Crane are among the six players level with Spieth on five under.

Genesis Open Golf A eucalyptus tree is toppled near the third green. AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

Day, who will lose the number one spot if Johnson wins and he finishes tied for third or further back, improved to two under after 15 holes of his second round.

The Australian had been in a tie for 74th with two holes still to play in his first round when day one was cut short due to poor light in California.

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