Bjorn leads in Singapore as weather halts play

• By Will Gray
• Nov 8, 2012 6:12 AM ET

Thomas Bjorn fired a 5-under 66 Thursday to take an early lead at The Barclays Singapore Open, where play was suspended mid-way through the first round due to weather.

Bjorn, who served earlier this year as a vice captain for the European Ryder Cup squad, carded six birdies against a lone bogey at Sentosa Golf Club. A winner three times on the European Tour in 2011, the Dane is in search of his first win this year.

"I came here and saw the golf course, and knew that everything was about driving the golf ball well," Bjorn explained to reporters after the round. "I did that very well today. It's only one round though, so we'll work from here."

Bjorn's lead is currently one shot over a group that includes Simon Khan, who seemed poised to take the first-round lead before bogeys on two of his final three holes left him with a 4-under 68. Englishman Paul Casey and former PGA Champion Y.E. Yang are among those at 3 under, two shots off the pace after their opening rounds.

Play was suspended Thursday due to inclement weather with 78 players yet to complete their first round. That group includes World No. 1 Rory McIlroy, who is even par through eight holes of his opening round. Playing alongside McIlroy, South African Louis Oosthuizen finds himself at 2 over with 10 holes still remaining.

Among those that completed their first round Thursday, Phil Mickelson started well before running into trouble on the back nine, playing holes 14-16 in 4 over en route to a 2-over 73 Thursday. Paired with Mickelson, Adam Scott managed an even-par 71 while Irishman Padraig Harrington did not make a birdie during his opening round of 3-over 74.

First-round play is scheduled to resume at 7:30 a.m. local time Friday.