DAVID Howell faces having to complete his second round at the Open Championship tomorrow morning after heavy rain curtailed play at St Andrews on day two today.

Swindon ace Howell enjoyed a strong opening round at the Home of Golf on Thursday by shooting a four-under-par 68 to finish just three shots off the overnight lead held by American Dustin Johnson.

However, players were greeted by wet weather in Scotland this morning and only the first two groups were able to tee off before play on the Old Course was suspended for more than three hours because parts of the course were waterlogged.

That pushed Howell’s tee time back until 6.43pm, with the Broome Manor pro facing only being able to complete a handful of holes before play was called off for the evening.

Howell, and the rest of the players who were still out on the course, will be back out early on Saturday morning before the third round gets under way in the afternoon.

Howell’s first round efforts meant he was in good position to make the cut and will be hoping to haul himself into a strong position to challenge before the final 36 holes get under way.

Of those players to complete their second round, Englishman Danny Willett held the early clubhouse lead after a 69 saw him climb to nine-under overall.

“It is pretty cool to be leading the Open, it is what you dream of,” said Willett.

“I have grown up watching the event and for us Brits it the major we want to win, especially here at the Home of Golf makes it a little bit more special.

“I could be leading going into tomorrow (Saturday), I am not sure what the weather is doing but the others won’t be finished until tomorrow. I will rest up and see if I can have a good weekend.

“Seeing my name on top of the leaderboard is something I’m going to have to embrace, or there’s no point being there.

“I received a text message from my mum: ‘Well done on making the cut.’ She always brings me straight back down to earth.”

First-round leader Johnson did not tee off until 5.48pm while Tiger Woods went out a 6.10pm.

The former world number one has a fight on his hands to make the cut after he could only shoot a four-over 76 in the first round.