HEAVY rain forced suspension of play after just 1 1/2 hours in the first round of the Million Dollar Challenge at the Gary Player Country Club in Sun City, South Africa, with Britain's Colin Montgomerie sharing the lead.

Some of the greens had become unplayable, according to the tournament referee, Dennis Bruyns, while most of the saturated bunkers on the course were "unfair".

Bruyns said the 15 year old tournament had never had an uncompleted day's play. He said the first round would resume early this morning with the second round beginning on time in the afternoon, weather permitting.

Bernhard Langer, the winner in 1985 and 1991, set the early pace in the persistent drizzle with American Steve Stricker and four times European number one Montgomerie.

Montgomerie birdied the 553 yard second to share the lead when play was suspended.

Nick Price of Zimbabwe, Welshman Ian Woosnam, title holder Corey Pavin, fellow American Mark Brooks, the US PGA champion, South African Ernie Els and American Mark O'Meara were all level par.

Completing the field are Masters champion Nick Faldo, Open champion Tom Lehman and US Open champion Steve Jones.

Faldo, who stood at four over for the tournament after just four holes, spoke of his anger after the players were called off without any of them completing more than five holes. "The course was waterlogged and we should never have gone out there in the first place," he said.

. The World number one, Greg Norman, fired a three under par 69 yesterday to trail the first round leaders by two shots in his final tournament before taking a three month break because of a back problem.

The 41 year old Australian finished in a group of players, including defending champion Craig Parry, as they chased compatriot Lucas Parsons and Dutchman Rolf Muntz in the Greg Norman Classic at Royal Melbourne.