Sweden's Edfors leads weather-hit Irish Open

MAYNOOTH, Ireland, May 19 (Reuters) - Sweden's Johan Edfors continued his run of good form as he led the weather-affected Irish Open when the first round was finally completed today.

Last week's surprise British Masters winner bogeyed the last two holes at Carton House but still headed the field by a stroke on three-under-par 69 in the European Tour event.

Second place was held by Briton Iain Pyman, who finished his round on Thursday after a six-hour suspension for high winds, overnight leader Ignacio Garrido of Spain, his playing-partner Anders Hansen of Denmark and Frenchman Christian Cevaer.

U.S. Open champion Michael Campbell birdied the last for a 72 to lie three strokes off the pace.

Campbell was one of the players Edfors went past last week at The Belfry to record his second win of the season, and the Swede is delighted to be in front again, despite a long wait before getting to grips with the course.

TOUGH DAY ''Yesterday was a tough day even though I got nine holes in the best conditions you can probably have on this course,'' he said.

''I was here for almost eight hours waiting to tee up, though, and it was hard to get into any rhythm when you'd not expected to play at all.

''I wasn't really prepared, because I didn't think we would go out to play, so I'm happy to be on top again and I'll try to keep it going.'' Edfors has not even had time to celebrate last week's victory.

He was flown by private jet to a company day on Monday before returning to the tour.

His celebrations are on hold, he said, until after next week's European flagship event, the BMW Championship at Wentworth.

The players finishing off their first rounds returned to the course after a 20-minute turnaround to play their second rounds.

Yesterday's suspension, brought about by balls moving in the wind on the greens, means the second round is unlikely to be completed until tomorrow morning.

Reuters PDS BST1715