Els bid nearly blown away

Winds gusting up to 35mph forced play to be suspended during the first round of the Johnnie Walker Classic in Beijing today.

The first group had completed 13 holes when they were stopped at the Pine Valley Country Club. Players were finding conditions increasingly difficult and balls were moving on the greens.

Australian Adam Scott was in the lead on three-under-par after 10 holes.

"Officials will monitor the situation and return players to the course when the wind has abated suitably," tournament director Mike Stewart said.

But there may be no further play today as the forecast was for the strong winds to continue.

Scott, starting at the 10th, reached the turn in 33 and had just parred the first when play was called off, giving him a one-shot lead over Frenchman Jean- Francois Lucquin, Spain's Jose Manuel Lara and Korean KJ Choi.

Sergio Garcia was a shot further back on one under after one birdie and nine pars. Ryder Cup team-mates Paul Casey and Luke Donald were level par and two over respectively and 2008 Ryder Cup captain Nick Faldo was four over after going to the turn in 40.

World No3 and twice champion Ernie Els was one over par at the turn despite seeing one of his shots blown 90 yards off target.