Matthews in control of everything bar the rain

Sir Terry Matthews, the owner here of one of the biggest resorts in Britain, can buy virtually anything he wants. The one thing the electronics billionaire cannot influence is the weather and yesterday's Wales Open was rudely interrupted, yet again, as mist, rain and lightning hit Wentwood Hills.

Play was delayed for three hours in the morning and suspended again in mid-afternoon. They will attempt to resume at 7.30 this morning. And it was déjà vu all round as television screens were occupied not by live action from the second round of the 2002 Wales Open, but by replays from the championship of last year. Which, of course, was severely diluted by torrential rain.

According to "Celtic Fairways", the resort's magazine, Sian Lloyd, the TV weather presenter, is a regular here. Had Sir Terence consulted her about the clouds hanging over his tournament he might have taken a rain check.

They call Mike Stewart, the tournament director here, the "Rain Man" for obvious reasons. The same could be said of Paul Lawrie, the Open champion from Carnoustie in 1999. Before play was halted yesterday Lawrie was at the top of the leaderboard, advancing to nine under par for the championship. The Scotsman went to the turn in 32, with birdies at the third, fifth, sixth and seventh. He had played 11 holes of his second round when forced to stop, leading by a stroke from the Australian Richard Green and by two from the South African James Kingston. Green had played only five holes and Kingston never got started at all, after establishing a new course record of 65 in the first round.

Sir Terence, who has captured the 2010 Ryder Cup for the Celtic Manor, has a new date for the Wales Open next year, potentially a prime slot at the end of May/early June with prize money increased to £1.5million.

The stop-start-stop scenario did little to help Sam Torrance, Europe's Ryder Cup captain. After playing beautifully for a 66 in the first round, yesterday he was due to play at 8.40am. This was put back to 10.50, and when he finally teed off after midday he had seven successive pars followed by a double-bogey six which dropped him back to four under par.

This morning a Junior Wales Open tournament is scheduled to be played on the adjoining Roman Road course. Forty promising young golfers will, weather permitting, take part, with twenty products of the Coca-Cola Golf Development Scheme invited to test their skills against members of the Glamorgan and Gwent county junior squads.

"This is the first time a junior tournament of this kind had been held in parallel with a major tour event," Chris Baron, Celtic Manor's golf operations manager, said. "We hope spectators will give the youngsters support as they take part in what could be a stepping stone to playing in the Wales Open itself in years to come."

Celtic Manor is organising free coaching for golfers up to 18 years of age throughout the Wales Open. "That area is open to anyone on a first-come, first-served basis," Baron added. "Budding golfers can receive professional coaching and see their heroes close-up.'' With visibility restricted by the inclement weather, close-up is the only option.

* Kent Jones led after the opening round of the USPGA Buick Open in Michigan, firing a seven-under-par 65 for a one-stroke lead over Mark Brooks and Hong Jon Choi. The top three were in front of some illustrious names, including Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Retief Goosen.