Sam Horsfield opened up a three shot lead with ten holes to play before the threat of lightning brought the players off the course on day four of the 2020 Celtic Classic.
The Englishman started the day at The Celtic Manor Resort a shot behind playing partner Connor Syme but picked up shots on the third, fourth and seventh to get to 17 under.
Scotsman Syme was at 14 under alongside Belgian Thomas Detry, one clear of American John Catlin, England's Andrew Johnston, Australian Jason Scrivener and Swede Sebastian Soderberg.
Play resumed at 6.20pm with two hours lost to the elements.
After claiming his maiden European Tour victory just two weeks ago at the Hero Open, Horsfield is enjoying a remarkable UK Swing, having finished in the top ten at the Betfred British Masters hosted by Lee Westwood
He missed the cut at last week's English Championship but remains in the box seat to claim a place at the U.S. Open via the UK Swing mini Order of Merit.
Detry holed a 30 footer on the second to close the gap and he was soon within one as Syme failed to get up and down on the first and gave up just a second bogey of the week.
The rain continues to fall. https://t.co/vSlMVeg6r9 pic.twitter.com/sTet4b6I0T
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) August 16, 2020
Horsfield hit the front with a long putt at the third and another birdie at the next meant he was two ahead.
Detry holed another monster on the seventh to get in a share of second but Horsfield holed from 12 feet at the same hole to extend his advantage.
The leader then did well to save par at the eighth after finding sand off the tee before the hooter was blown, with Syme facing a par putt on the same green when play resumed.
Catlin had two holes left to play having made birdies on the seventh, ninth and 11th and a second eagle of the week on the par four 15th, while Scrivener made gains on the fifth, sixth and ninth in his first ten holes.
Soderberg birdied the sixth but was level for the day after a poor tee shot on the eighth, and Johnston hit back from a bogey on the fifth with birdies on the eighth and ninth.
Malaysia's Gavin Green was the clubhouse leader on 12 under after matching the lowest round of the week with a 63.
